Developing South Africa’s Drone Technology Ecosystem

Victor Radebe[1], Enhle Kheswa[2] and Simphiwe Buthelezi²

30 June 2021

Abstract

The growth of the South African drone industry is engaged via the exploration of various factors in the national scope of this emerging technology. We ask whether the South African market is ready to embark on supplying the need for drone skills, local manufacturing for export, and the rate of technology adoption. The competitive landscape of drone technology in South Africa also indicates that there may be imbalances that lead to a widening of the gap between the technology initiators and the straggling adopters.

Keywords: drone industry; drone technology; unmanned aviation; skills

 

[1] Mzansi Aerospace Technologies (PTY) LTD

[2] Moses Kotane Institute