Two African are among the first recipients of the Commercial UAV Expo’s new scholarship initiative, aimed at promoting inclusion and diversity in the drone industry.
Zimbabwean Jesca Manyika and Daniel Alayande from Nigeria were the two students of the four chosen as the inaugural beneficiaries of the 2024 UAV Empower: Path to Leadership Event Scholarship, which was created to address the critical need for diversity, innovation, and leadership in the drone industry.
By supporting students with strong visions for using UAS to tackle pressing global challenges, the initiative seeks to cultivate a new generation of leaders.
Recipients were chosen by an advisory committee of industry leaders, including Kat James, Founder of Four Hundred Feet; Eno Umoh, Co-founder of the Global Air Drone Academy; Rebecca Lehman, Senior ESG & Social Impact Manager at DroneDeploy; Carla Lauter, Content Manager at Commercial UAV News; and Lora Burns, DEI Manager at Commercial UAV Expo.
The scholarship covers complimentary passes to the Commercial UAV Expo, covering keynotes, workshops, and networking opportunities. This year’s event is scheduled for September in Las Vegas.
The other recipients, Americans Nina Shack and Noah Baer, attended the 2024 event in person, and were given a platform to address an audience during the “Path to Leadership: Building a Diverse, Engaged Workforce” session.
Additionally, the travelling students will be provided with travel stipends and accommodation for the duration of the stay in the USA.
Alayande began his journey in drones during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, when he and a group of friends built their own fixed-wing drone using only online tutorials. His early challenges—including designing and constructing the drone frame and overcoming technical setbacks—ignited his passion for drones.
Daniel’s drive led him to place in the top three of the Nigerian Drone Business Competition in 2021 and earn a scholarship for a diploma program with the African Drone and Data Academy (ADDA) in Malawi.
Daniel has since become a certified drone pilot, working on large-scale projects like agricultural spraying for the Dangote Sugar Refinery, and has taken on the role of program coordinator for the African Drone Forum. His work focuses on advancing drone innovation and fostering collaboration across Africa’s drone industry.
Manyika’s passion for drones grew from her love of aviation and technology. While volunteering at Zimbabwe Flying Labs in 2021, Jesca was inspired by the applications of drones in Africa, particularly in empowering women and youth.
She has since become a youth instructor for drone education programs, introducing over 5,000 young learners to the possibilities of drone technology.
Manyika has worked in security and surveillance with Iron Mask Aerotech and received a scholarship from Women in Aviation International to further her studies. Her dedication to pushing the boundaries of drone innovation continues to inspire others, especially young girls in Africa, to pursue STEM careers.
Below is the full interview she recently did with the sponsor.
On how she became involved with the drone industry
My journey into the drone industry stems from a deep passion for aviation and technology. It was during my final year pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Developmental Studies that I found myself drawn to the idea of utilising drones for societal advancement.
In 2021, I stumbled upon Zimbabwe Flying Labs, an organisation dedicated to drone technology, seeking volunteers for their first ever inaugural drone conference. Intrigued by the opportunity I felt a strong desire to contribute to my community through volunteering, I joined the team, immersing myself in organising the conference and assisting with administrative tasks.
This conference was set to host drone professionals from across Africa, sharing their expertise and experiences. Eager to participate, I promptly reached out to the team lead and expressed my interest in volunteering.
We welcomed delegates and VIP guests from Kenya, South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, including trailblazing women like Kim James, Itumeleng Mokoena, and Louise Jupp.
With a breakaway session dedicated to women in the drone industry, the conference proved to be a pivotal moment for me. Witnessing the innovative applications of drones and the remarkable contributions of women in the industry ignited a newfound passion within me.
Inspired by this experience, I embarked on a journey of self-education, connecting with aviation professionals, and seeking mentorship opportunities.
My involvement with Zimbabwe Flying Labs evolved, leading me to become a youth instructor for their drones in STEM educational programs. Through this initiative, I had the privilege of introducing over 5000 young learners to the world of drones, fostering their curiosity and passion for technology.
Driven by a desire to empower young girls in Africa, I am also passionate about exposing the girl child of Africa to Aviation and Stem careers which has resulted in me volunteering as a Programs Manager for African Leaders in Aviation.
With my current studies I hope to one day become an Aviation & Stem Development Practitioner and continue exposing STEM educational opportunities to young girls.
In our culture, patriarchy prevents some girls from preparing themselves for the future as much as they should. I was fortunate to have supportive parents who encouraged me to pursue my studies and be someone in life but I have also witnessed a lot of young girls drop out of school at a young age, and being forced by circumstances into early marriages; just because they were born women.
Against this background, I chose a career path that gives me a voice and allows me to work with different policy makers and communities to change our current mind set and empower young girls.
I was awarded scholarships from Women in Aviation International, enabling me to obtain advanced certifications in drone operations and further pursue my educational endeavours’.
At present, I am deeply immersed in security and surveillance operations in the drone industry as Remote Pilot assistant, for Iron Mask Aerotech, utilising my skills for public safety and security people and property; and making a meaningful contribution to the society.
As a youth instructor, I am committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation and inspiring the next generation of aviation enthusiasts. My journey into the drone industry has been fuelled by passion, resilience, and a commitment to making a positive impact.
I am excited to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible and shaping the future of aviation and technology.
On which industry leaders inspire her
There are many drone industry pioneers and students that have impacted and inspired me. One of them is Kim James – Director of UAV Aerial Works and founder of Drone Guards.
Kim has been a pivotal mentor in my journey. As a leading commercial drone operator specializing in security and surveillance, she demonstrated how drone technology could revolutionize African industries while creating new opportunities for women in aviation. With this scholarship, I now get to inspire other young women to enter this field, too—just like Kim inspired me.
On her opinions on diversity in the drone industry
My conclusion about the importance of diversity in the commercial drone industry stems from my observations of how varied perspectives drive innovation and problem-solving in technology.
In a rapidly evolving field like drone technology, diverse teams are better equipped to create solutions that address global challenges such as climate change, disaster relief, and healthcare access.
Different backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints ensure that the technology developed is more inclusive, adaptable, and applicable to diverse environments around the world.
In my work, I am committed to expanding opportunities within the industry by advocating for inclusive hiring practices, supporting educational initiatives that provide access to drone training for underrepresented groups, and mentoring individuals who may not otherwise have access to resources in this field.
By fostering diversity in the drone industry, we can ensure that its growth benefits people from all communities, ultimately making the industry more innovative and relevant to the global challenges it aims to address.
On how she plans to use her scholarship
This scholarship will accelerate my mission to localize drone technology across Africa while addressing critical gaps in youth empowerment and climate action. With 1,000+ flight hours in multi-rotor Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) and Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS operations), I am now expanding my expertise into fixed-wing systems, drone delivery networks, and disaster management applications, while cultivating my passion for Urban Air Mobility's transformative potential.
On the next steps on her career journey
My unique combination of development studies and drone technology positions me to help shape Africa's drone policy frameworks, with aspirations to serve as a regulatory board member ensuring emerging technologies serve grassroots needs while upholding the highest ethical standards. As I advance in my career, I am developing plans for the Aero-Flight Tech Initiative (AFTI)—a future platform to expand access to drone technology across Africa. With the right partnerships and funding, I aim to create:
- Pro bono STEM mentorship programs (Drones, AI, and Robotics) for 10,000+ youth annually
- Community-focused drone training integrated with environmental conservation
- Sustainable development projects building long-term ecological resilience
What excites me most isn't just teaching technology, but creating an ecosystem where young Africans lead in developing solutions for their own communities. Imagine drone technicians monitoring floods in Zimbabwe, or creating pathways for young women commanding drone fleets in a field where men dominate today. This is the future AFTI could help build.
On her thoughts for the future
In one year, I hope to be deeply involved in expanding my expertise within the drone industry, particularly in fixed-wing systems, drone delivery networks, and disaster management applications.
I aim to have gained more hands-on experience through industry collaborations or internships, while continuing my work in advocacy and mentorship for underrepresented groups in drone technology. Additionally, I see myself helping to shape policy discussions around drones in Africa, ensuring that emerging technologies align with the needs of local communities.
In five years, I envision myself leading the Aero-Flight Tech Initiative (AFTI), a platform that will expand access to drone technology across Africa, focusing on sustainable development and environmental conservation. I will also be involved in developing innovative drone applications in sectors like STEM, climate monitoring, and disaster response.
Given my deep passion for drones and their potential to create meaningful change, I absolutely see myself still working with drones — using them not only as a tool for technological advancement but as a means to empower communities and address global challenges.
What did the sponsor say?
“The 2024 UAV Empower: Path to Leadership Event Scholarship winners are an impressive group. Selected from more than 80 applicants, these four scholarship recipients bring diverse backgrounds and interests, a passion for innovation, and a desire to use uncrewed technology for the public good. Their stories point to a bright future for the drone industry.
“One of those winners, Jesca Manyika, is particularly focused on increasing the adoption of drone technology in Africa and empowering citizens to address problems around sustainability and conservation.
"Jesca also hopes to become involved in shaping drone policy on the continent, promoting diversity in the drone industry, and expanding educational and professional opportunities for women in technological fields.”