Ghana is positioning drones and artificial intelligence as central pillars of its industrial transformation strategy, with government officials describing the technologies as practical economic tools already enhancing productivity across agriculture, mining, infrastructure, and public safety sectors.
Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Sampson Ahi, told delegates at the Drone Ignite Africa Summit 2026 in Accra on Tuesday that the country aims to transition from consuming imported technologies to becoming a developer and exporter of digital solutions. The two day summit, held at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City under the theme Drone Innovation, African Impact, Global Momentum, brought together policymakers, tech innovators, startups, investors, and development partners.
Mr Ahi stated that drones and AI are no longer futuristic concepts but have become practical instruments already improving operations in key economic sectors. The technologies are being deployed for precision agriculture, including crop monitoring, smart irrigation, targeted application, and yield forecasting, all designed to boost productivity while reducing costs and environmental impact.
The Deputy Minister explained that these innovations are creating new employment pathways for young Ghanaians in agri tech, geospatial services, and data driven solutions. He emphasized that the agricultural sector contributed 21.1 percent to gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023 and employed approximately 34 percent of the workforce, making technological enhancement of the sector critical to national development.
In the mining and industrial sectors, drone based surveys and AI analytics are improving operational efficiency, environmental monitoring, land management, and regulatory compliance. Industry experts at the summit highlighted how these technologies strengthen institutional capacity, support innovation, and improve data collection in mining communities, promoting responsible and sustainable mining operations while increasing investor confidence.
Derrick Annan, Co Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Axis Drone Surveys, a leading aerial survey company based in Ghana, encouraged young professionals to explore drone technology as a viable and rapidly growing career path. Axis Drone Surveys specializes in high precision engineering surveys for agriculture, mining, telecommunications, and infrastructure sectors, having completed over 500 surveys across West Africa with eight years of experience.
The government’s strategy includes establishing clear regulatory frameworks, providing innovation financing, and strengthening regional collaboration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which has its secretariat in Accra. Mr Ahi called on the private sector, academia, development partners, and young innovators to collaborate with government in building a robust technology driven industrial ecosystem.
The summit emphasized youth and women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, positioning the event as a catalyst for innovation, collaboration, and inclusion. Organizers stated that the initiative aims to empower the next generation of drone professionals and entrepreneurs to shape Africa’s technological and economic landscape.
Ghana’s broader economic transformation agenda includes the 24 Hour Economy initiative, which seeks to boost productivity and enhance private sector growth through continuous industrial operations. The government has linked this vision to industrialization processes driven by agriculture, manufacturing, and export oriented industries.
The Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry has developed several flagship programmes to support technological adoption and industrial growth, including the Feed the Industry Programme, Rapid Industrialisation Programme, and Accelerated Export Development Programme. These initiatives aim to ensure consistent supply of quality raw materials to factories, increase capacity utilisation, and build stronger linkages between smallholder farmers and agro processors.
Government officials have indicated that regulatory clarity for drone operations will be critical to attracting investment and enabling scaled deployment across sectors. The civil aviation authorities are working to establish licensing frameworks and safety protocols that balance innovation with public safety and privacy concerns.
The drone technology sector in Africa has attracted growing international attention, with several countries developing regulatory frameworks and deployment strategies for commercial and government applications. Proponents argue that Africa’s development challenges in infrastructure, agriculture, and logistics create unique opportunities for drone adoption at scale.
The Drone Ignite Africa Summit featured panel discussions on the future of drone policy and regulation in Africa, with industry experts, policymakers, and innovators exploring frameworks shaping the drone ecosystem across the continent. Exhibitors showcased cutting edge drone applications and technologies designed for African market conditions.
Ghana’s strategic positioning as host of the AfCFTA Secretariat and its membership in regional trade agreements including the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and European Union Economic Partnership Agreement provide preferential market access that officials argue enhances the country’s attractiveness as a technology development and export hub.
The government has implemented business regulatory reforms aimed at reducing operational costs, streamlining regulatory processes, and improving the overall business climate to support technology adoption and industrial development. Officials have stated that making Ghana the easiest place to do business in Africa remains a priority objective.
