South Africa is one of Africas leaders in the use of drones to upgrade border security, with Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Tunisia also among the early adopters. Other early adopters are the smugglers themselves, who are using drones for smuggling narcotics, monitoring law enforcement movements and even attacking border security or rival organisations, according to Glenn McArthur of D-Fend Solutions. In South Africa, the drones are operated by the Border Management Authority BMA, which is using advanced drones equipped with night vision, thermal cameras, long-range zoom, and AI capabilities to patrol and monitor border crossings, with a focus on the Zimbabwe and Mozambique borders. According to BMA officials, the drones are helping to combat general smuggling activities, including illicit goods and drug trafficking, particularly around the Beitbridge and Lebombo border posts. South Africa has a number of drone manufacturers, some of which export their advanced systems. Ethiopia is developing its own drone technology for both military and surveillance purposes to augment or replace imports from Trkiye, China and Iran, none of which have implemented human rights requirements in drone sales. Drones are used by the military and border management authorities to patrol hard-to-reach areas and monitor large stretches of porous borders more effectively and cost-efficiently than traditional methods. There are also reports of the military using drones to attack both civilians and opposition militia, according to Zecharias Zelalem, a visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. In September, Kenyas interior principal secretary Raymond Omollo announced that the country would be using drones as part of its efforts to improve control of the borders with Somalia and Ethiopia, in particular. The strategy includes the use of drones, biometric technology and artificial intelligence to monitor and deter illegal crossings, Omollo said. It also proposes establishing interoperable platforms to enable real-time intelligence sharing between different security bodies. Kenyan startup Sentinel Dynamics launched EagleEye AI in June, a surveillance system designed for real-time monitoring and smuggling detection. Conflict-ridden Sudan is using drones primarily for military purposes by both government and opposition Rapid Support Forces RSF. The proliferation of drones for military surveillance and tactical operations is affecting civilian logistics. With the support of drones, the RSF has taken control of the Owaynat Triangle, a key trade route that borders Libya and Egypt in northwestern Sudan, according to the African Defence Forum. Tunisias National Guard uses UK-supplied drones and night vision tech to monitor and intercept small boats carrying irregular migrants and smuggled goods along its Mediterranean coast. ER
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The facility aims to run three trains daily between Estcourt and the Port of Durban in the near future.
