Konza Technopolis has been officially approved as the country’s first national drone corridor, giving Kenya a controlled airspace dedicated to long-distance drone flights a major step for the country’s growing tech sector.
The approval was granted by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), clearing the way for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations where drones can legally fly out of the operator’s view within the smart city’s boundaries.
Officials say the move will support everything from drone-based delivery of medical supplies, to agricultural monitoring, to emergency response in hard-to-reach areas.
“This is a turning point for drone development in Kenya, it gives innovators a secure, legal space to test their technology and bring real-world solutions to life.” said John Paul Okwiri, CEO of Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA).
The corridor the first of its kind in the country will be open to approved operators including startups, research institutions, and drone training schools. A full-time coordinator will manage the airspace to ensure operators follow safety guidelines.
Kenya has strict drone regulations, and BVLOS flights have until now been restricted, especially in densely populated areas. The Konza corridor offers a workaround: a space that’s monitored, regulated, and built specifically for testing and development.
Architect Annah Musyimi, a senior planner at Konza, said the corridor was part of the smart city’s long-term plan to attract both local and global talent.
“There’s huge potential in drone technology whether it’s delivering vaccines, mapping farmland, or responding to floods. With this corridor, we now have the space and legal backing to explore those uses,” she said.
The decision follows months of review by a multi-agency committee and is being described as a milestone not just for Konza, but for Kenya’s wider technology ambitions.
KoTDA says it’s now inviting drone innovators from across Africa and beyond to use the corridor for testing and research and to help build what they hope will become one of the continent’s top hubs for drone technology.