Malawi Opens Drone Testing Corridor for Humanitarian Needs

Malawi has launched Africa’s first air corridor to test the use of drones to deliver aid and other services in the region, according to UNICEF officials. The air corridor is a result of the partnership with the UN’s children’s agency and officials say it opens up the possibility for “potential humanitarian” drone use in the southeast African country, CNN reported. Launched on Thursday, the corridor is on Kasungu Aerodrome in central Malawi. Testing will focus on three areas, UNICEF officials said in a press release. These areas include “generating and analyzing aerial images” for developing areas and assisting during humanitarian crises, “exploring the possibility” of using drones to expand Wi-Fi or cell phone signals and transporting medical supplies. According to the UNICEF press release, the corridor is also one of the first globally “with a focus on humanitarian and development use,”  Drones will have a range of 24 miles, or 40 kilometers. Universities and several companies from around the world will also be able to use the corridor.