The inaugural Café Drone event, a collaborative effort by Tech Africa, Tchad FlyingLabs, WeRobotics, and the National Center for Research for Development (CNRD), recently took place on June 25, 2026. Hosted at the CNRD premises in N’Djamena, the gathering centered on the compelling theme: «The opportunities linked to civil drones».

This pioneering initiative sought to underscore the critical importance and diverse applications of drone technology across various sectors within Chad. Key areas of focus included enhancing agricultural practices, optimizing livestock management, and improving the oversight of the nation’s vital natural parks and reserves.

Addressing the attendees, Professor Mahamoud Youssouf Khayal, the Director General of CNRD, highlighted the significance of this event as the first instance where national and international stakeholders in unmanned aerial technologies convened in N’Djamena, specifically within a dedicated research and development environment. He emphasized that drones are no longer a futuristic concept but a tangible reality of the present. Professor Khayal further asserted, «Given Chad’s expansive territory, significant logistical hurdles, pressing need for geospatial data, and the imperative for rapid crisis response, drones present an exceptionally relevant solution.»

Professor Khayal also outlined several crucial challenges that Chad must overcome to fully harness the benefits of this advanced technology:

• Regulatory Framework: Establishing secure drone usage while simultaneously fostering innovation.
• Training: Equipping the nation’s youth with the skills required for the jobs of tomorrow in drone operations.
• Integration: Facilitating effective collaboration among institutions, private operators, and researchers to create a cohesive ecosystem.

The Director General extended his gratitude to the partnering organizations—Drone Tech Africa, Tchad FlyingLabs, and WeRobotics—for their visionary initiative and unwavering commitment. He also commended the experts present who have already successfully translated these technologies into practical, operational solutions. Professor Khayal urged participants to leverage this unique opportunity for learning, forging new partnerships, and laying the groundwork for a comprehensive national roadmap for drone integration. «Research is not a distant endeavor; it is here, at the core of our daily concerns. Drones perfectly illustrate this reality,» he concluded.

He also acknowledged the tireless efforts of the CNRD teams in organizing the event and expressed appreciation for the technical and financial partners who believed in the project’s potential.

Mahamat Issa Abakar, Director of Drone Tech Africa, presented compelling research findings from Burkina Faso, alongside ongoing agricultural studies in Chad’s Guéra province, specifically in Mongo, Baro, and Tabo. There, a women’s agricultural project was meticulously filmed by a drone to analyze their resilience strategies. The ultimate goal of this research was to explore how drone technology could potentially boost agricultural yields by up to 30%.

Ali Mahamoud, a CNRD service chief, elaborated on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in research and underscored the vital role of drones in preventing conflicts between farmers and herders, often exacerbated by drought, water scarcity, and climate change. He further highlighted the importance of drones for wildlife monitoring in Zakouma National Park, surveillance of transhumance corridors, mineral prospecting, and gold exploration, emphasizing their utility in gathering precise statistical data.

The third speaker, Dr. Djimassal, a research officer, provided insightful clarifications on leveraging satellite imagery to capture views from space. This technology allows for detailed visualization of vegetation, rivers, open forests, human settlements, shrub and herbaceous savannas, grazing areas, and thickets, particularly in Chad’s northern regions. He meticulously demonstrated the interpretation of these images, revealing insights into various natural resources, lakes, and indigenous forests.

Following these comprehensive research presentations, a dynamic panel discussion was convened, fostering an exchange of ideas on the profound importance of incorporating drone technology across diverse sectors.