Mozambican student develops drones for remote medical delivery

Cleiton Michaque, a first-year Electronic Engineering student at Eduardo Mondlane University, is testing a drone prototype designed to deliver medicines and small parcels to remote areas in Mozambique. The project aims to overcome logistical challenges caused by floods, rivers, and poor road infrastructure.

The drone features GPS and an autonomous navigation system, allowing it to follow pre-programmed routes and return to its starting point automatically. While designed with a payload capacity of three kilograms and a projected range of up to 200 kilometers, current safety tests are limited to two-kilogram loads and two-kilometer flights.

Michaque has been building various drone models since 2019 and has already trained 17 youths in piloting, programming, and assembly through his initiative, Centro de Criação e Controlo. His long-term goal is to establish a Mozambican company specializing in drone manufacturing, maintenance, and training services.