Drone Procurement in Africa

Africa's drone market has evolved from a predominantly Western-dominated procurement environment into a genuinely multipolar market. China, Turkey, Israel, and the United States now compete directly for contracts, with Iran and Russia supplying conflict-zone actors through more opaque channels. The combined of Western suppliers (US, France, UK) has declined relative to the rise of Chinese and Turkish platforms, particularly in active conflict contexts.

China dominates by volume with 587 units shipped to 20 African nations. Procurement accelerated sharply post-2020 (340 units in 2020–2026 alone). Key platforms include the Wing Loong I & II (MALE armed drones) and the Rainbow CH-3, CH-4, CH-5 series. Primary customers include Egypt (126 units), Libya LNA (80), Nigeria (72), Ethiopia (57), and Algeria (49). Chinese drones appear extensively in active conflict zones and are particularly favoured for their cost, availability, and lack of human-rights conditionality.

Turkey's Baykar Bayraktar TB2 has become the continent's defining drone story of the 2020s — exported to 11 African states with 143 units recorded. Total Turkish supply reached 291 units. Turkey's ascent has been steep: from just 3 units in 2015 and 20 in 2019, to 57 in 2021, 111 in 2022, and 61 in 2024. The TB2 combines combat capability, affordable pricing, and political neutrality — making it attractive to both sides in conflicts like Libya and Ethiopia.

Israel has supplied 325 units to 12 countries, with extraordinary concentration in Morocco (176 units — Wander B and Thunder B bulk orders). Other significant recipients include Ethiopia (31), Uganda (26), Zambia (22), and Libya GNA (19). Israeli platforms — Hermes 900 , Harop , Heron/Harfang — lean toward intelligence gathering and precision strike, reflecting Israel's historical security partnerships across the continent.

The US supplied 247 units primarily through government-to-government sales and commercial channels. Notable systems include the MQ-9 Reaper (Morocco, 4 units), RQ-11 Raven (5 countries, 40 units), RQ-20 Puma , and Scan Eagle . The US presence is notable in North and East Africa, with smaller commercial units sold more broadly. Post-2020 US sales (29 units) lag significantly behind China and Turkey, reflecting tighter export controls and political constraints.

Iran & Russia — Conflict-zone Channels: Iran has supplied 37 units to Sudan (Ababil-2/3, Mohajer series), Libya LNA, South Sudan, and Ethiopia — almost exclusively to states in active conflict or under sanctions. Russia supplied 27 units: 12 to Mali (Orlan-10), 10 to Libya LNA, and 5 to Ethiopia (Orion-E in 2025), marking a pattern of drone transfer closely aligned with Russian political/military interests.