AI and Drones Could Help African Projects Secure Investment Faster

AI and drones in Africa are changing how projects are planned and funded. Investors say these tools give better data and reduce risk, which helps projects secure financing faster.

How AI and Drones in Africa Improve Project Planning

Investors said drones can survey up to 300 kilometres underground. They can map pipelines, tunnels, and other hidden structures without costly excavation.
When combined with AI-generated 3D models, developers can visualise projects and test different scenarios. This approach helps detect risks early, speeds up planning, and increases project credibility.

William Kwende, Board Advisor at Equiline Group, said the technology allows developers to create digital twins of planned roads, energy sites, and urban infrastructure. This gives investors precise, real-time data on costs and timelines. He noted that many African projects fail to reach bankable status due to poor data and weak planning.
He added that AI and drones can make early-stage projects more credible, helping investors make decisions faster.

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Why Digital Tools Support Better Investment Decisions in Africa

Cheng Liang, Senior Executive Director at the Silk Road Fund, said the impact of these technologies grows when used within coordinated project pipelines. Structured pipelines create clear strategies and replicable project models.

He explained that AI and digital twins offer the accuracy and transparency investors need before committing capital.

How Technology Reduces Fragmentation Across African Markets

Moses Manuel, CEO of the African Trade and Investment Development Insurance (ATIDI), said that technology can also address Africa’s fragmented investment environment.

He noted that differing regulations and scattered project data make risk assessment difficult.
However, he said technology can standardise information and improve transparency. This gives investors a unified view of project quality and speeds up financing decisions.

Africa’s infrastructure gap is estimated at $200 billion each year. Because of this, technology-driven planning could help accelerate funding for renewable energy, transport, and urban development projects.

Strong Institutions Are Needed for Technology to Work

Khalid Al-Mana, Vice-President of Enterprise Development at Qatar Development Bank, said technology alone cannot drive full transformation. He stressed that strong institutions and coordinated support systems are essential.
He explained that AI works best in unified systems with clear governance structures.

Al-Mana said Qatar’s rapid infrastructure development came from its one-stop institutional model. This structure gave full visibility across the SME ecosystem, allowing quick adoption of modern tools.
He added that countries need single points of accountability to integrate advanced technologies effectively.

The Role of Institutions in Scaling AI and Drone Use in Africa

Al-Mana concluded that Africa’s ability to attract large-scale private capital depends on how well governments combine institutional strength with technology.

Story credit: Shallon Mwiza