Russian drones and satellites to protect Tanzania’s forests

From the newsletter

Far from Ukraine, Russia is set to boost Tanzania’s forest conservation efforts through cloud-connected technology. This partnership, announced on March 12, 2025, will see Moscow supply high-quality drones and customised satellite systems. Additionally, the initiative will include specialised training for local experts in the use of modern forest surveillance tools and software.

• Aiming for greater regional influence, Moscow will support Dar es Salaam in strengthening forest conservation and management, with a focus on protecting resources and promoting ecotourism.

• Forests cover 48 million hectares, accounting for 55% of Tanzania's land area. They play a significant role in the national economy and support many livelihoods.

More details

• The pledge to deliver cloud-connected conservation devices was announced by Professor Alexander Dobrovolsky, Vice-Rector for Scientific and International Activities at Saint Petersburg State Forest Technical University. A delegation of ten Russian forestry experts arrived in Dodoma from Morogoro and held discussions with Dr. Pindi Chana, Tanzania's Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, on enhancing forest management.

• Senior officials from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Tanzania Forestry Service, Sokoine University of Agriculture, and Tanzania Forestry Research Institute attended the meeting. During the discussions, Dr. Chana welcomed the partnership, emphasising the importance of forest conservation for Tanzania’s economy and environment. "Tanzania urgently needs to strengthen efforts to address challenges in forest management and conservation," she stated, noting that forests contribute 3% to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

• Professor Dobrovolsky highlighted the historical ties between Russia and Tanzania, dating back to the 1960s, as the foundation for their ongoing cooperation. He reiterated Russia’s commitment to sharing its expertise and technology in forest conservation. "We are here to exchange knowledge and explore areas of cooperation to enhance Tanzania’s forest management," he said.

• Despite its economic significance, Tanzania’sforests face substantial threats due to the overreliance on biomass energy, particularly charcoal and firewood. With 92% of the country’s energy needs met by wood, population growth increases unsustainable forest resource consumption. Community forests are unable to keep pace with demand, leading to rapid deforestation, as evidenced by an annual deforestation rate of 373,000 hectares. Such pressures endanger not only Tanzania's biodiversity but also the livelihoods that depend on these forests.

• Agricultural practices further contribute to deforestation, with slash-and-burn methods and shifting cultivation expanding Tanzania’s agricultural footprint. This process clears vast forest areas to make way for farming, intensifying the strain on forested lands. Between 2000 and 2015, over 5.86 million hectares of forest were lost, equating to roughly 10% of the country’s forest cover. Efforts to mitigate deforestation, such as land use planning programmes, struggle to counterbalance the rapid pace of land clearance.

• Illegal timber trade is another critical issue, driven by demand from international markets and facilitated by infrastructure development. Corruption and weak enforcement allow illegal logging to flourish, with timber smuggled through Zanzibar. Although conservation efforts like the Zanzibar Declaration on Illegal Timber Trade and reforestation initiatives are underway, they remain insufficient to combat the widespread deforestation. Promoting sustainable energy sources is essential to alleviate the pressure on Tanzania's forests. 

Our take

• Drones and satellites are increasingly utilised in African forest conservation, enhancing the monitoring of forest health, detecting illegal activities such as logging and poaching, and supporting reforestation efforts. Drones equipped with multispectral cameras can analyse vegetation patterns, identify deforestation trends, and assess ecosystem health, allowing conservationists to pinpoint vulnerable areas.

• Drones can also be used to collect data on wildlife, including their feeding areas, nests, and other points of interest, as well as to monitor the interactions between their habitats and human activities.

• In March 2024, Tanzania joined other African nations, including Ghana, Liberia, Madagascar, and Namibia, in using drones to monitor threatened forests. Kenya and Madagascar also deploy drones for spreading seeds and reforesting damaged areas.