Côte d'Ivoire has reached a major technological milestone in the fields of security and the blue economy. The country is now home to West Africa's first regional training center for professional civilian drone operators . This strategic infrastructure is located within the Interregional Maritime Security Institute (ISMI), a component of the Regional Academy of Marine Sciences and Technologies (ARSTM) in Yopougon.

A high-profile inauguration

The official inauguration ceremony took place on June 5th, bringing together a panel of national and international figures, including:

1. Soro Daufanguy , chief of staff and representative of the Minister Delegate in charge of Maritime Affairs.
2. Colonel-Major Karim Coulibaly , Director General of Arstm.
3. Matthias Veltin , German ambassador to Ivory Coast.
4. Abroulaye Fofana , permanent secretary of the Interministerial Committee for State Action at Sea.
5. Sascha Weh , representative of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (Unitar).

All stakeholders have welcomed this project as a true technological revolution, essential for securing the Gulf of Guinea.

A pillar of sovereignty and innovation

For the representative of the Minister of Transport, this "Drone Center" goes beyond the framework of simple physical infrastructure: it embodies the vision of a nation resolutely focused on excellence and modernity.

"In a context where security, environmental and economic challenges are increasingly complex, our country must anticipate and invest in innovative solutions capable of strengthening our competitiveness and our maritime and land sovereignty," stressed Soro Daufanguy.

For his part, Colonel-Major Karim Coulibaly reaffirmed the concrete commitment of the Ivorian authorities to a secure African maritime space, the driving force behind a blue economy that is both prosperous and sustainable.

A certified and rigorous training program

The course offered by the center will combine in-depth theoretical instruction with intensive practical sessions. To guarantee the highest standards of safety and compliance, the entire program will adhere to national aeronautical regulations ( RACI 2000 and RACI 3009 ), under the direct supervision of the National Civil Aviation Authority of Côte d'Ivoire (ANAC) .