- The African Drone Forum has partnered with Aviation Africa 2026 to deliver a dedicated drone and autonomous systems programme in Nairobi on 9–10 September.
- The event will include a Drone and Autonomous Systems Track, the inaugural African Drone Regulators Forum, an exhibition pavilion and live demonstrations.
- The partnership aims to strengthen regulatory dialogue, support BVLOS and unmanned traffic management development, and expand market access across Africa’s low-altitude economy.
The African Drone Forum (ADF) has announced a strategic partnership with Aviation Africa 2026, taking place on 9–10 September 2026 at the Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, to strengthen dialogue, collaboration and market opportunities across Africa’s drone and autonomous systems sector.
Aviation Africa 2026 is being delivered in partnership with the Ministry of Roads and Transport of Kenya, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), Kenya Airways, the African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA) and the African Drone Forum (ADF), bringing together key public and private sector stakeholders shaping the future of aviation across Africa.
Under the theme “Advancing the Future of Autonomy in Africa”, ADF will serve as the strategic partner for the drone and autonomous systems programme, bringing the Drone and Autonomous Systems Track, the inaugural African Drone Regulators Forum (ADRF), the ADF Exhibition Pavilion and live demonstrations to Aviation Africa 2026.
Together, these components will create a platform for regulatory dialogue, ecosystem collaboration and responsible market access across Africa’s low-altitude economy.
Aviation Africa is the continent’s most established aviation summit, bringing together stakeholders from across the industry to advance dialogue and collaboration in Africa’s aviation sector since 2015. The 2026 event will mark its 10th edition.
The partnership builds on the introduction of the Drone and Advanced Air Mobility Track at Aviation Africa 2025 in Kigali, which convened approximately 2,100 delegates, including 30 Directors General of Civil Aviation and more than 120 exhibitors.
As the first ADF-curated programme within the Aviation Africa platform, it established a foundation for deeper engagement between the aviation and drone sectors. In 2026, the programme will expand into the Drone and Autonomous Systems Track and will be anchored by the inaugural African Drone Regulators Forum.
The Drone and Autonomous Systems Track will feature five curated discussions covering drone regulation, beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations, unmanned traffic management (UTM), advanced air mobility, infrastructure, investment and emerging technologies shaping the future of the sector.
The African Drone Regulators Forum will provide a dedicated, closed-door peer engagement platform for civil aviation authority representatives and drone regulatory leaders from across the continent.
Co-facilitated with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, ADRF is designed to support knowledge exchange and dialogue on the safe and effective integration of drone and autonomous systems into African airspace.
The ADF Exhibition Pavilion will showcase African and international companies developing drone and autonomous systems technologies, services and solutions. Complementing the exhibition, live demonstrations will provide participating organisations with opportunities to showcase operational capabilities and practical applications.
Organisations interested in attending, exhibiting, speaking, sponsoring or participating in the African Drone Regulators Forum are encouraged to contact the African Drone Forum for additional information.
