'Drone academy' paves way for youth

ABIDJAN - "Drones have become my passion," says Noursely Doumbia, who holds a degree in electronics and is currently learning to pilot drones as part of a pioneering program in Cote d'Ivoire's economic capital Abidjan.

The training is being offered at a new "drone academy" which has been set up by the Ivorian Electricity Company, known as CIE, in order to revolutionize the inspection of its infrastructure and ultimately to reduce costs.

Although common in Europe, the use of drones is still in its infancy in West Africa, although the commercial market for unmanned aircraft is expanding.