Executive Summary

Drone diplomacy is reshaping security partnerships across Africa. For suppliers, drones serve as a strategic soft power tool; for recipients, they offer a cheap path to military modernisation. Drone sales are also accelerating geopolitical realignments and contributing to a broader shift away from Western influence.

Drones have proven tactically effective in specific contexts, but their overall strategic impact in African arenas remains limited. Drone diplomacy, while influential, is unlikely to fundamentally alter Africa’s security landscape.