Konza Technopolis Joins as Official Technology and Innovation Partner for the GlobalConservation Tech & Drone Forum 2026
KONZA – Konza Technopolis is proud to announce its role as the official technology and innovation partner for the upcoming Global Conservation Tech & Drone Forum (GCTDF 2026), set to take place from 2–6 March 2026 in Nairobi and at Konza Technopolis.
This landmark forum, themed “Technology in Service of Nature: Protecting Wildlife, Supporting People, Restoring Ecosystems”, will bring together conservationists, technologists, policymakers, youth, and innovators from across Africa and the globe to explore how drones, AI, geospatial tools, and data-driven solutions can advance wildlife protection and ecological restoration.
Konza Technopolis, host of Kenya’s National Drone Corridor, encompasses a dedicated 1,000-acre wildlife corridor within its smart city precinct. This strategic partnership underscores Konza’s commitment to harnessing advanced technologies to drive sustainable development, in alignment with Kenya’s ambition to position itself as a continental leader in conservation innovation and environmental stewardship.
Building on Kenya’s leadership in drone technology showcased at events such as the Elevate Africa UAS Summit 2024, Konza Technopolis will host live demonstrations, workshops, and innovation sessions focused on:
Drone-based wildlife monitoring and anti-poaching operations
AI and sensor integration for habitat mapping and ecosystem health
Smart conservation data platforms and community-led tech solutions
Youth and women in conservation technology training programs
Arch. Annah Musyimi, Chief Manager, Physical Planning, Design and Compliance at Konza Technopolis Development Authority, emphasized the strategic importance of this collaboration: “Our partnership with GCTDF 2026 is a natural extension of Konza’s mission to foster innovation that serves society and the environment. By integrating conservation technology into Kenya’s digital transformation journey, we are not only protecting wildlife but also creating new opportunities for youth, women, and communities. This is conservation reimagined — smart, scalable, and sustainable.”
A key pillar of GCTDF 2026 is the Women in Conservation Forum (WiCF), to be held on Monday, 2nd March 2026 in Nairobi. This dedicated event will honor the indispensable role women play as conservancy leaders, rangers, researchers, and advocates across Kenya and Africa. The WiCF will feature keynote addresses, professional development workshops, and networking sessions designed to foster a stronger, more unified community of women in conservation.
This initiative builds on Konza Technopolis’ established innovation ecosystem and aligns with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority’s progressive regulatory framework, ensuring that technological advancement is pursued in a safe, secure, and ethically responsible manner.
Konza’s involvement reinforces the collaborative model that drove the success of the Elevate Africa Summit 2024, bringing together government, private sector, academia, and community stakeholders. The forum will also feature the inaugural Youth Conservation
Tech Award 2026, a non-cash recognition program designed to elevate young individuals (aged 25 and under) who are applying technology in practical, field-based conservation work. Winners will be honored during a high-visibility plenary session, receiving a formal certificate, supported participation in the forum, and inclusion in official communications.
John Paul Okwiri, CEO of Konza Technopolis, added: “We are convinced that the future of conservation lies at the intersection of digital innovation, inclusive participation, and youth empowerment. Through strategic collaboration with the Kenya Wildlife Service, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, technology partners, academia, and local communities, we are building scalable, data-driven solutions that not only safeguard wildlife and restore critical ecosystems but also generate sustainable livelihoods and shared prosperity. Konza Technopolis is proud to serve as a platform where technology advances environmental stewardship and positions Kenya as a global leader in conservation innovation.”
Jonty Slater, the Forum’s Co-Founder hailed Konza’s partnership in the forum as a game-changer. dedicated conservancy and licensed drone corridor provide the critical infrastructure to move conservation technology from prototype to real-world impact at scale.”
“Its David Guerin, the Forum’s Co-Founder on the other hand, noted Konza’s participatory role in bridging smart infrastructure with community stewardship.
“This is where technologists, rangers, and youth innovators will come together—turning innovation into tangible, nature-focused solutions through partnership and shared purpose.”
For more details on GCTDF 2026, including conference tracks, agenda, registration, and how to participate — visit https://www.gctdf.org
About Konza Technopolis
Konza Technopolis is a flagship Smart City project under Kenya’s Vision 2030, the country’s long-term development blueprint aimed at transforming Kenya into a newly industrializing, middle-income economy. Also known as Africa’s Silicon Savannah, Konza is a 5,000-acre, master-planned city designed to drive economic growth through science, technology, innovation, and knowledge-based industries.
Strategically located 60 kilometres southeast of Nairobi, the city is being developed as a leading Science Park and Area of Innovation with world-class infrastructure and a focus on sustainability and digital transformation where people can live, work and play. Konza Technopolis is envisioned to contribute at least 2% to Kenya’s national GDP, positioning the country as a premier technology and innovation hub on the continent. The Smart City is managed by the Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA) under the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy.
About GCTDF 2026
The Global Conservation Tech & Drone Forum (2-6th March 2026) is a non-profit, Africa-anchored event bringing together conservationists, technologists, data scientists, community leaders, policymakers, and youth.The 2026 edition — held in Nairobi and Konza Technopolis — will feature expo booths, poster sessions, workshops, live drone and sensor demonstrations, and forums on inclusive conservation innovation, biodiversity protection, ecosystem resilience, and community benefit. All sessions, data outputs, and project results will be openly shared to ensure global accessibility and impact.
Contacts:
Ruth Nduta,
Konza Technopolis Development Authority
Manager, Marketing & Corporate Communications
konza@konza.go.ke
+254 (0) 111 121 100
GCTDF 2026
Mary Mutanu - PR and Media Partner - GCTDF 2026
mary.gitari@brandspark.co.ke
+254 (0) 722 224 972
http://brandspark.co.ke/
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