Eswatini

Enhancing disaster resilience through innovation, robotics, and technology.

About

Eswatini Flying Labs leverages emerging technologies to advance disaster risk reduction, early warning systems, and community resilience. By promoting the use of tools such as drones and geospatial data, we empower local stakeholders to make informed, data-driven decisions that strengthen preparedness, response, and recovery efforts across Eswatini.

Our work includes conducting flood risk assessments, using drone technology to monitor water levels, mapping flood-prone areas, and generating vital data to guide emergency response and water distribution strategies.

Services

We harness drone technology to support urban planning and disaster preparedness by mapping towns across the country for comprehensive risk assessments. In collaboration with the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), we also contribute to post-disaster recovery efforts, helping rebuild communities and infrastructure with a focus on "building back better", enhancing resilience and long-term sustainability.

We also deploy drones for disaster vulnerability assessments, such as the National Pre-Harvest Assessments, which inform targeted interventions. These efforts aim to alleviate poverty by supporting food distribution and providing essential agricultural inputs to vulnerable communities across Eswatini.

Local Capacity Building

We work closely with municipalities, community leaders, emergency services, and farmers to build local capacity for proactive disaster management. By equipping them with practical skills and drone-based tools, we enable communities to identify risks early, make informed decisions, and implement effective strategies that strengthen resilience and safeguard livelihoods.

Sector Applications & Projects

We use drone technology to support disaster management, agriculture, environmental conservation, and infrastructure monitoring. From early warning and damage assessment to crop monitoring and yield estimation, our work empowers data-driven decisions that strengthen resilience and promote sustainable development across Eswatini.

Youth/STEM Programs

We empower Eswatini’s youth by integrating drone technology into STEM education, sparking curiosity and expanding career pathways. Through hands-on learning and awareness programs, we inspire the next generation of innovators to explore opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, laying the foundation for a more inclusive and tech-driven future.

Advocacy & Policy Support

Through our collaboration with government agencies and strategic partners, we strengthen disaster response coordination, support evidence-based policy development, and contribute to long-term resilience planning. By aligning technology with national priorities, we help build more responsive systems that protect communities and foster sustainable recovery in the face of future challenges.

Knowledge Exchange

We value collaboration and continuous learning as drivers of meaningful impact. By participating in and hosting conferences, workshops, and forums—both locally and internationally—we foster knowledge exchange and innovation. Through these efforts, we bring together key stakeholders to explore how drones and data can address Eswatini’s most pressing challenges.

Sustainable Development Goals We Focus On

News

Read our blog posts to learn more about trainings, process, community, and our field.

Building National Resilience: The Launch of Eswatini Flying Labs

Flying Labs Network | May 5, 2025

Eswatini Flying Labs will contribute to national resilience by strengthening data-driven decision-making and the coordination of disaster response efforts.