Kenya is set to host Global Conservation Tech and Drone Forum (GCTDF 2026) after the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) confirmed its role as the official conservation partner for the international event scheduled for March 2-6, 2026, in Nairobi and Konza Technopolis.

KWS, a government agency established under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013, is mandated to conserve and manage wildlife in Kenya through protection, research, law enforcement and collaboration with communities and landowners.

The GCTDF 2026, themed: Technology in Service of Nature: Protecting Wildlife, Supporting People, Restoring Ecosystems, will bring together rangers, community leaders, technologists, researchers, policymakers and youth from across Africa and around the world.

The forum will provide a platform to explore how emerging technologies such as drones, satellite sensors, artificial intelligence, geographic information systems (GIS) and data-driven tools can be deployed to safeguard biodiversity, restore degraded ecosystems and strengthen community resilience.

In a statement issued ahead of the event, KWS said its partnership with GCTDF aligns with the agency’s 2024-2028 strategic plan that places priority on sustainable, inclusive and community-centred conservation approaches.

Through the collaboration, KWS will contribute expert knowledge on Kenya’s ecosystems, wildlife challenges and conservation priorities. The agency will also support and participate in live demonstrations showcasing drone and data technologies used in wildlife monitoring, anti-poaching surveillance and habitat protection.

KWS will further engage with global conservation technologists, policymakers and youth to promote scalable, ethical and locally grounded conservation solutions that benefit both wildlife and communities.

During the forum, KWS will showcase Kenya’s conservation achievements and reaffirm its commitment to innovation, science-led decision-making and inclusive natural resource management.

“This partnership underscores KWS’s belief that modern conservation success depends not only on rangers and protected areas but also on embracing technology, data and collaboration at both local and global levels to protect wildlife for future generations,” the statement said.

The Global Conservation Tech and Drone Forum is a non-profit, Africa-anchored initiative that convenes conservation practitioners, data scientists, technologists, community leaders, policymakers and youth to accelerate innovation in biodiversity protection.

The 2026 edition will feature exhibitions, poster sessions, workshops, live drone and sensor demonstrations, and thematic forums focusing on inclusive conservation innovation, ecosystem resilience, biodiversity protection, and community benefits.

All sessions, data outputs and project results from the forum will be openly shared to enhance global accessibility, learning and conservation impact. Conservation and wildlife images highlighting Kenya’s biodiversity and protected ecosystems.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / Wangari Ndirangu