Japan’s SORA Technology is bringing some serious high-tech energy into Africa’s age-old malaria fight. It is with fresh funding of about $4.8 million, The startup is scaling its AI-powered drone operations across the continent. Malaria still kills hundreds of thousands of people in Africa every year, over 600,000 globally, with most of the deaths being children under five. Beyond the human toll, malaria also drags down economies, costing Africa an estimated $12 to $16 billion in lost productivity annually IAfrica.
SORA’s solution? Smarter drones with brains. These drones fly over high-risk areas, like swamps, farms, or stagnant waters, scanning for potential mosquito breeding spots using onboard cameras and AI. Once a hot spot is spotted, the drones go in and spray larvicide with surgical accuracy, no more wasteful, blanket spraying that kills everything in sight. TechCabal
This new model is already proving effective. Early results show up to 70% less chemical usage, 40% lower costs, and 50% less manpower needed, according to IAfrica. That’s a win for health systems, the environment, and everyone’s wallets. The drones are already flying in Ghana, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Benin, Senegal, and the DRC, with plans to expand into at least 15 more countries, including Nigeria, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Tanzania. Rollouts in some of these countries are set to begin by late August 2025, according to LaunchBase Africa.
And here is where it gets cooler, it is not just about spraying. The AI model is built to predict where outbreaks could start before they happen. It uses factors like temperature, vegetation type, water depth, and flow to map out high-risk zones, letting teams act before mosquitoes start spreading disease MenosFios. Unlike Zipline, which uses drones to deliver medicine, SORA is more prevention-focused. They’re all about stopping disease before it starts. And they’re planning big: setting up an African drone assembly hub, training locals, and partnering with governments and NGOs to scale up across the continent SORA Technology.
Their innovation is getting noticed, too. SORA received the if Social Impact Prize in 2024 and an Encouragement Award from Malaria No More Japan earlier this year. Plus, they’re part of the Triple I for Global Health initiative, a G7-backed platform tackling global health crises SORA Technology.
This move isn’t just about tech, it is about changing the game. Smarter targeting means fewer chemicals in the environment. AI-driven forecasting means fewer outbreaks. Local engagement means sustainability. And $4.8 million is just the beginning. In a world where climate change is making mosquito breeding easier and longer, Africa needs more than old-school mosquito nets and insecticides. SORA’s high-flying solution offers a new kind of frontline defense: precise, proactive, and planet-friendly. TechCabal
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