The Banking Executive Magazine - May 2026 Issue

ISSUE 209 MAY 2026 the BANKING EXECUTIVE 51 FinTech and AI Chornicle Egypt’s Ministry of Local Develop- ment and Environment has signed a cooperation agreement with Drone Tech to deploy a smart aerial moni- toring system using drones powered by artificial intelligence and geospa- tial analysis, as part of efforts to mod- ernise oversight and improve public service delivery. In a statement, the ministry said the system will enable real-time field monitoring and data analysis to sup- port decision-making across gover- norates. Environment Minister Manal Awad said the project will strengthen over- sight in key areas affecting daily life, including building violations, waste management, and pollution track- ing—particularly the seasonal “black cloud” phenomenon. The system will also be used to mon- itor encroachments on natural re- serves, support afforestation efforts under Egypt’s 100 Million Trees ini- tiative, and enhance environmental inspection and public service moni- toring. According to the ministry, the project will utilise advanced spectral imag- ing technologies to analyse and track pollution sources with high preci- sion, forming part of broader efforts to integrate cutting-edge technolo- gies into government operations. Awad described the initiative as a “qualitative leap” in oversight sys- tems and a step forward in advancing Egypt’s digital transformation agenda and Vision 2030 goals. For his part, Mohamed Shehata Youssef, Chairperson of Drone Tech, said the company will provide full technical support for the rollout, de- scribing the project as the first of its kind in cooperation with the min- istry. He added that deployment will take place in phases across Egypt’s gover- norates, based on priority areas and in coordination with relevant author- ities, to strengthen monitoring and regulatory mechanisms. EGYPT SIGNS DEAL TO DEPLOY AI-POWERED DRONES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING