Meet the Next Generation of Drone Experts: The Students of Côte d’Ivoire’s Fly Girl Academy

In Côte d'Ivoire, 60 percent of the population is under the age of twenty. This new generation of Ivorians is eager to learn new skills, but their aspirations are being stymied by a lack of resources and infrastructure. That’s why Côte d’Ivoire Flying Labs has partnered with the Dynamic and Excellent NGOs of Africa (DEA) to give young people—particularly young girls from disadvantaged neighborhoods—a brighter future.

Every Saturday afternoon, from May to August, approximately ten girls from a local high school in Abobo gather together to attend "Fly Girl Academy." These young women are learning about UAV technologies, and, in doing so, are gaining the practical skills to help them find good jobs  in the drone industry in the years to come.

These young women are learning about UAV technologies, and, in doing so, are gaining the practical skills to help them find good jobs  in the drone industry in the years to come.

Each training session is organized at the local city hall, and dedicated to learning new skills. Classes allow the girls to engage in simulations of piloting drones, as well as to embark on field visits to the offices of companies that use drones in their work. They also learn how to assemble drone kits, are introduced to legislation and regulations around drone operations, and much more. By the course’s conclusion, these young women will be prepared to become Côte d’Ivoire’s newest experts on drone operation.

This cohort of students is the first to attend Fly Girl Academy, and the goal is to scale up the project in future years. Already, this training has generated a tremendous amount of interest since its launch on the DEA’s Facebook page.

Stay tuned to learn more about its evolution, and to watch the next generation of innovative, empowered, female Ivorian drone pilots make a difference in their country.