Konza Technopolis City or ‘Africa’s Silicon Savannah’ drone operations have started in earnest with the launch of the first unmanned aircraft system (UAS) technology facility powered by High Lander’s Vega Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) system.

The Vega UTM solution forms the digital backbone of the Konza National Drone Corridor (KNDC), Kenya’s first Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS)-approved drone facility.

KNDC will enable safe, compliant and scalable drone operations, cutting administrative delays through a unified digital portal and ensuring airspace safety with Vega’s conflict-avoidance and real-time coordination features. Secure data exchange with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) further enhances compliance and safety.

Anchored within Konza’s innovation ecosystem, the corridor will support drone deployment across healthcare, agriculture, logistics, aerial mapping, infrastructure inspection, conservation and emergency response. It is also expected to stimulate job creation, entrepreneurship and investment, positioning Kenya as a leader in Africa’s smart mobility future.

 “The launch of the Konza National Drone Corridor and deployment of the UTM is a landmark step in advancing Kenya’s innovation ecosystem,” said Ben Waweru, Director of Data Centre and Cloud Services, who was representing John Tanui, Principal Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy.

“This initiative integrates drone technology into key sectors while aligning with our vision to harness technology for inclusive growth,” Eng Tanui said.

Konza Technopolis CEO John Paul Okwiri said “The unmanned traffic management system is a defining moment in our smart city journey. It unlocks economic opportunities, enhances public service delivery, and ensures a safe, regulated environment for drone operations.”

Eden Peled, Country Director at High Lander, noted, “It’s an honour to power the KNDC, the first BVLOS UAS sandbox in Africa. With KCAA’s support, Vega UTM will enable safely scalable drone applications as the corridor expands.”

The launch was attended by representatives from the Israel Embassy in Nairobi, the Ministry of ICT and the Digital Economy, Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and other privately run drone companies, which underlined the multi-stakeholder commitment to positioning Kenya at the forefront of drone innovation.

The KNDC is now live and operational, marking a new chapter for advanced aviation in Kenya and across Africa.

Dubbed Africa’s “Silicon Savannah,” Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, is rapidly emerging as a pivotal player in the global tech landscape.

The city is now a hub of innovation that has attracted technology enthusiasts, entrepreneurs and investors worldwide. Nairobi is contributing to the technology evolution and why it should be on your radar if you’re interested in the future of technology.

The mobile money revolution began Nairobi’s journey to becoming a tech powerhouse. In 2007, Safaricom, Kenya’s leading mobile network operator, launched M-Pesa, a mobile-based money transfer service.

M-Pesa’s success not only transformed financial transactions in Kenya but also showcased Nairobi’s potential to drive technological innovation. This ground-breaking service laid the foundation for a thriving tech ecosystem that continues to grow and evolve.