Cairo: Egypt's Minister of Local Development and Environment, Manal Awad, announced on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, the signing of a cooperation contract with Drone-Tech to implement a smart aerial monitoring system. This system will utilize AI-powered drones and geospatial analysis to enhance local and environmental governance.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the agreement aims to modernize the monitoring capabilities across various sectors by providing real-time field analysis. The contract was signed by Dr. Said Helmy Abdel Khaleq, Head of the Planning and Integrated Local Development Sector, representing the ministry, and Mohamed Shehata Youssef, Chairman of Drone-Tech.

Awad emphasized that the AI-driven system is designed to bolster urban and environmental oversight, particularly in the areas of building regulation enforcement, waste management improvement, and the monitoring of the 'black cloud' phenomenon. Additionally, the system will aid in the presidential '100 Million Trees' initiative by tracking afforestation efforts and policing encroachments on natural reserves.

Youssef stated that the project's implementation will occur in phased geographical stages across all governorates, aiming to boost governmental efficiency and support the objectives outlined in Egypt Vision 2030.