Nigeria Eyes $260bn RPAS Sectoral Market by 2030
Drone
The Federal Government has said that the country is actively engaging in the rapidly evolving Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) sector, projected to hit $260 billion by 2030.
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Dr Emmanuel Meribole gave the hint in his keynote address at the 4th International Drone Technology Conference and Exhibition (Dronetecx 2024) held Wednesday at NIGAV Expo Centre in Lagos.
Dr Meribole said the RPAS sector is evolving rapidly, playing essential roles in agriculture, health, construction, logistics, and public safety, with projections indicating a USD 260 billion market by 2030.
According to him, African nations like Rwanda, Uganda, and Ghana actively participate in this global race for leadership in RPAS technology.
The PS however, pointed out that recent regulatory developments, including amendments to ICAO annexes and the approval of new procedures, lay the foundation for an international regulatory framework for RPAS operations, just as he assured that Nigeria is actively engaging in this process while prioritizing safety and security considerations.
Unlike traditional aviation, Dr Meribole explained that RPAS involves diverse stakeholders beyond aviators such as service providers, surveyors, geologists, engineers and so on, introducing unique safety and security challenges.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), he said is tasked with providing robust oversight to ensure safe and secure RPAS operations, supported by other aviation agencies and others alongside the supervision of the Federal Ministry.
He said that efforts to regulate RPAS operations in Nigeria are undeniable, such as the release of Part 21 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations being the regulatory framework, that sets out requirements for certification, registration, operations, and surveillance of RPAS.
Still, on efforts of the government, the Permanent Secretary observed that the government has encouraged the creation of a dedicated RPAS unit within NCAA and the integration of RPAS operations into national civil aviation policy, demonstrating the government’s commitment to the responsible use of RPAS.
On collaborations, Meribole said “The Ministry is open to more interactions with the public and welcomes suggestions to help advance the usefulness of this technology. We call on our research centres to develop solutions for applications and production capabilities to make Nigeria a leading player in this industry and not a dumping ground”.
“Collaboration between government, industry, and research institutions is essential for maximizing the benefits of RPAS technology while addressing potential risks. The Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) is essential in providing UAS Traffic
Management (UTM) and manage the UTM system to provide real-time information regarding airspace constraints and the intentions of other aircraft, when available, to UAS operators and remote pilots directly”.
While commending the organisers of Drontexc 2024, he equally assured that the Ministry will oversee and ensure that both NCAA and NAMA deliver on their respective statutory responsibilities.
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