How SKT Live Is Transforming Africa with Geospatial Intelligence, GIS Mapping and Drone Technology

This interview with Francis Owusu, CEO of SKT Live Ghana, explores how the company has evolved from a pioneering drone operator into a leading provider of geospatial intelligence, GIS mapping services, LiDAR mapping solutions, satellite monitoring, and AI-powered geospatial analytics across West Africa. SKT Live leverages drone technology, aerial surveying, remote sensing, digital terrain modelling, and high-resolution geospatial data services to help clients make informed decisions based on reliable and actionable data.

The discussion highlights the company’s work in precision agriculture solutions in Ghana, agricultural drone services in West Africa, drone spraying services for cocoa farms, smart farming technology in Ghana, and plantation management using drone technology. Through partnerships with organisations such as COCOBOD and Groupe SIFCA, SKT Live provides drone-based crop monitoring solutions, AI-powered agricultural data analysis, and advanced mapping services for sugar cane, palm plantation mapping and monitoring, and rubber plantations covering tens of thousands of hectares.

The interview also examines the company’s role in mining surveillance in Ghana, illegal mining monitoring solutions in Ghana, and satellite monitoring for illegal mining activities. Working with major mining companies such as Gold Fields and Newmont, SKT Live delivers drone surveillance for mining operations, autonomous security drones for mining, mining stockpile volume calculation services, and real-time monitoring of mining concessions. The company has become a key player in galamsey detection technology in Ghana by integrating drones, satellites, and AI-driven monitoring systems.

Another major focus is infrastructure monitoring using drones, electricity transmission line inspections, utility corridor mapping services, pipeline monitoring solutions in Africa, oil and gas pipeline surveillance, and drone inspections for power infrastructure. By combining satellite imagery, aircraft sensors, and drone technology, SKT Live provides asset monitoring and predictive maintenance solutions that help energy companies and utilities improve operational efficiency while reducing risks.

The interview further showcases SKT Live’s expertise in digital twin city development in Africa, smart city data solutions, digital municipality transformation in Ghana, and government GIS database solutions. Using handheld LiDAR technology, 3D city modelling services, digital mapping, and property database creation using GIS, the company is helping municipalities modernise revenue collection, improve urban planning using geospatial data, conduct flood risk simulation mapping, and develop smart municipality mapping solutions. Current projects include large scale mapping initiatives with the Ga East Municipality, where SKT Live is creating a comprehensive digital database to support taxation, infrastructure planning, flood risk modelling, and sustainable urban development.

Environmental sustainability is another important theme. The company provides forestry monitoring solutions in Ghana, deforestation detection using satellite imagery, environmental monitoring using drones, and satellite based environmental intelligence. Through innovative projects such as tree-planting drones in Africa and reforestation drone technology developed in partnership with international organisations, SKT Live is helping governments and institutions monitor forests, combat environmental degradation, and scale conservation efforts across the region.

Looking ahead, Francis Owusu explains how artificial intelligence for drone data analysis, automated image recognition mapping, predictive analytics using satellite imagery, and AI-powered infrastructure monitoring will play a central role in the company’s future. SKT Live aims to become the leading provider of data-driven decision-making solutions, real-time geospatial intelligence platforms, and big data solutions for African governments, municipalities, agricultural organisations, mining companies, and infrastructure operators. The company’s vision is to build reliable digital databases, support smart government through geospatial intelligence, and position itself as the trusted source of reliable data rather than simply a drone services company.

Ultimately, the interview demonstrates why SKT Live Ghana has become a recognised leader in drone services Ghana, GIS solutions Ghana, geospatial data Ghana, smart city solutions Africa, digital transformation Africa, and geospatial intelligence Africa. By integrating drones, satellites, aircraft, LiDAR systems, artificial intelligence, and advanced analytics into a single platform, the company enables governments, municipalities, agribusinesses, mining companies, and infrastructure operators to access trusted, actionable information that drives better decision-making and sustainable development across West Africa.

To begin, could you provide us with an overview of SKT Live? We’d like to understand the company’s background, its scope of business, and the key areas in which you operate.

SKT Live was previously known as SKT AeroShutter. At the time, it was a small company operating in Ghana, having been established in 2014. I stepped in during 2018 to acquire the company and elevate its services. At that time, we were the first and only local company certified by the Civil Aviation Authority to operate legally in Ghanaian airspace.

Initially, as AeroShutter, our focus was on drones as vehicles for data capture and mission execution. Back then, we were the only company offering these services, although more companies entered the market over the following five years; we distinguished ourselves early on by pioneering Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations. This means that, rather than flying drones only within sight, we use computer systems to control them over several miles, enabling them to complete missions and return safely.

We have applied this technology across multiple sectors, essentially anywhere that data matters. We have worked in mining, construction, and agriculture, using our technology to capture data, process it, and make it accessible through platforms that clients can easily use. Our goal has always been to help clients make informed decisions based on reliable data.
In agriculture, for example, we introduced precision farming by using drones to spray crops accurately, replacing helicopters and planes that previously dispersed chemicals broadly without precision.
In addition, we have used drones for pipeline monitoring and infrastructure inspections. Traditionally, personnel would have to climb structures or physically inspect electricity poles to identify faults. With drones, we can detect those faults without exposing people to unnecessary risk. That was the state of the business around five years ago.

Over time, we noticed increasing competition, with smaller companies presenting themselves as drone operators, something we had anticipated. What became clear, however, was that clients valued the data above all else. The drone is simply a vehicle; the true value lies in the outcome of the data.

This realisation led us to rebrand as SKT Live, with a focus on live data. We began partnering with organisations worldwide, from Singapore to the United States, to expand our capabilities. While we still use drones extensively, there are situations where aircraft are more suitable, particularly when covering larger areas or when weather conditions make drone operations less efficient. In some cases, it is simply faster to use an aircraft. We also incorporate satellite imagery into our operations, combining these three layers: drones, aircraft, and satellites.
In addition, we introduced ground-based LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology. This allows us to drive through streets, capture detailed data on buildings and surrounding infrastructure, and create comprehensive 3D models of entire cities by integrating that information with aerial imagery.

Satellite integration allows us to maintain live updates. Once we establish a baseline map, any change compared to the original data can trigger an alert. Whether it is a fire outbreak, deforestation, or another significant event, the system immediately notifies users. This broadened our scope to clients who had never considered drones but could benefit from actionable data.

A typical example in Ghana is forestry management and the fight against “galamsey”, or illegal mining activities. We have developed a platform that allows monitoring through either drone-captured data or high-resolution satellite imagery. In some cases, deploying drones may be too visible or potentially unsafe, making satellite monitoring the preferred option. The system continuously monitors designated areas, and whenever activity is detected, alerts can be sent directly to a user’s phone or computer, enabling rapid decision-making and response.

The same approach applies to pipeline monitoring, whether for oil or gas infrastructure. Problems affecting these assets can be extremely dangerous, and delays in detection can have serious consequences. We first map the pipeline corridors to create a baseline dataset and then use continuous satellite monitoring to identify any changes or potential issues. When an anomaly is detected, an immediate alert is generated, allowing the relevant teams to respond without delay.


You’ve mentioned sectors such as agriculture and mining, and the companies you serve in those areas. Could you clarify SKT Live’s core value proposition in the market? Specifically, how would you define your unique offering within the Ghanaian market, and are your operations focused solely on Ghana or do they extend beyond?

Given my background, having grown up in France, I have always been conscious of Ghana’s position within a Francophone region. As soon as we established operations in Ghana, we expanded into Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal the following year, with the goal of serving West Africa. While our primary focus has always been West Africa, we have also completed projects in Kenya and South Africa. Wherever our services are needed, we are prepared to go, but our core focus remains the West African region

Across all these sectors, the common factor is data. Some industries require live data feeds, while others need periodic updates. To meet these needs, we combine software and hardware solutions, making data readily available.

For example, we work with DJI hardware platforms, deploying automated drones, often referred to as ‘drone‑in‑a‑box’ systems. These drones can be stationed in different locations, fly missions autonomously, return to their docking stations, recharge, and redeploy without the need for pilots. We believe that automation reduces human error, and our focus is therefore on the data rather than the operator.

This approach applies across agriculture, mining, and construction. The value lies in how the data is interpreted and customised for each client. Instead of relying on multiple reports, clients can log into a single platform, view live activities, and make faster, better‑informed decisions.

In Côte d’Ivoire, for instance, we work with Groupe SIFCA, the country’s largest employer after the government. They use our services to manage sugar cane, palm, and rubber plantations covering more than 40,000 hectares. By logging into the platform, they can zoom into specific areas, identify issues such as crop disease, and act immediately, all thanks to the data we provide.

You gave an example from Côte d’Ivoire. Could you also share the types of clients or industries you work with in Ghana, such as agriculture and mining?

In Ghana, the agricultural sector is largely made up of smallholder farmers. As a result, whenever we work in agriculture, we typically partner with an organisation that brings these farmers together, essentially acting as an aggregator. This allows us to provide services such as data collection and aerial spraying more effectively across larger groups of farmers.

We have also worked with COCOBOD, collaborating on spraying operations for cocoa farms in various regions. These projects have enabled us to demonstrate how drone technology can improve efficiency and precision in agricultural activities.

In mining, we serve major companies such as Gold Fields and Newmont. These organisations require services ranging from security surveillance and inspections to stockpile volume calculations, allowing them to measure daily volumes accurately.

One of our largest projects with Newmont involved deploying security drones to monitor illegal mining activities, known locally as galamsey. Working with partners from Israel, we implemented an advanced autonomous system that can be activated remotely from Accra, even when the drone is positioned 600 kilometres away. The system operates independently, and we trained Newmont’s staff to manage it without our direct involvement.

We have also worked with clients such as the Volta River Authority (VRA). In one project, they were interested in exploring drone delivery services across the river to transport books to schools in remote communities. They were looking for an innovative solution with a strong visual impact, and we successfully introduced and deployed our platform to support that initiative.

Another key client is GRIDCo in the energy sector. For them, we have delivered projects involving electricity transmission line inspections and corridor mapping, helping to improve monitoring, maintenance planning, and operational efficiency across their network.


What are some of the key challenges you encounter when operating across these sectors?

One of the biggest challenges we face in West Africa is the reliance on conventional methods. Many experienced engineers are accustomed to traditional approaches, and when we introduce technology that allows them to visualise rather than physically handle processes, it can be difficult for them to adapt.
Another significant challenge is the perception that technology is there to replace people. Our objective has never been to replace human expertise. Instead, our goal is to provide better data so that professionals can perform their jobs more effectively and make more informed decisions. However, it is common for people to worry that technological advancements could eventually make their roles redundant.
To some extent, certain tasks may indeed become automated over time, but the ultimate purpose is to support specialists rather than replace them. Whether it is an agronomist in agriculture or an engineer in another sector, the aim is to provide them with accurate data so they can make better decisions.

Another challenge has been the perception that drones themselves are the solution. In meetings, when we present outcomes, people are often impressed by the drone rather than the data. We frequently hear comments such as, ‘My uncle has a drone, my cousin has a drone, so I can do this too.’ They may purchase drones, but without the expertise to process and interpret the data, they cannot deliver the same results.

This mindset shift was one of the reasons we rebranded from being a drone company to a data company. A drone is simply a vehicle, whether flying or mounted with a camera on the street. The true value lies in the data it captures and how that data is analysed and applied.


How are you integrating your drone technology with data management to ensure efficiency, reliability, and security for your clients?

Once again, it is the data that truly matters. The vehicles we use to obtain it vary; drones are one option, but not the only one. Over time, we expanded beyond drones to include planes equipped with sensors, which in some cases are more efficient and cost‑effective. We also use satellites, depending on the resolution required.

For us, these are simply platforms for gathering information. The real value lies in how we integrate the data and present it through a unified online platform, where all outputs are accessible.

When working with clients, we always begin by asking: how would you like to see this data? What is your objective? How will it support your activities? The outcome we deliver is tailored to those needs.

It does not matter whether the data is captured by drone, plane, or satellite; what matters is the final result, and how it enables clients to make informed decisions.


Beyond Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana, are there any other countries where you currently operate or have a presence?

We have worked in almost all West African countries, travelling to complete projects and then returning. In fact, I would struggle to name many countries in the region where we have not yet worked. Our projects have taken us as far as Mauritania.

One of our most innovative initiatives has been the development of a drone capable of planting trees. In partnership with the United Nations, we were selected to provide this service. In certain villages, local women prepare seeds coated with clay, which are normally scattered by hand and left to germinate when the rains come. To scale this process, we converted a large drone with a capacity of around 50 litres to distribute seeds over vast areas, including places inaccessible to people. The drone follows a programmed path, and we can measure the quantity of seed dispersed, creating natural forests in the process.

In this case, the emphasis is on hardware. Communities or organisations acquire the drones, we train them in their use, and we provide ongoing technical and maintenance support.

We have applied the same approach in Ghana, particularly for smallholder farmers who cannot usually afford such services. By enabling them to own and operate drones themselves, we empower them to manage their farms more effectively, with our team available to provide assistance whenever needed.


Given that technology and innovation are central to your business, could you tell us whether your equipment and solutions are assembled locally, or sourced from elsewhere?

When we first started, we assembled drones locally in Ghana. Full manufacturing is difficult in Africa, so our partners would send components, and we would train together and assemble them here. Over time, however, we have evolved into a service‑driven company. Today, we work closely with international manufacturers as their local partners, focusing on delivering services to clients rather than building platforms ourselves.

For example, we have recently established a partnership with a Spanish company that has developed an innovative solar-powered drone platform. This drone is capable of flying for up to ten hours and is designed for maritime applications such as coastal surveillance, fisheries monitoring, and offshore inspections. In two weeks, I will travel to Spain to finalise arrangements to bring this technology to Ghana.

The goal is to bring that platform here and either offer it as a service, or, if clients wish to purchase it, provide them with technical support and handle the sale.


Apart from drones, what other products do you assemble locally?

Unless we are talking about a different company, when it comes to drones, it was mostly the drones we used for spraying. We have them in 5-litre, 10-litre, 20-litre, 40-litre, and 50-litre capacities, and now we have the 100-litre model as well. These are large machines, so manufacturers cannot ship them fully assembled. Instead, they send them in parts for us to put together locally.

That said, I want to steer the conversation more towards the service side and the data side. Today, drones represent only one part of our data acquisition ecosystem. At one point, drones accounted for 100% of our operations, but they now make up roughly 40% of the platforms we use for data collection. The rest comes from planes, satellites, and ground‑based vehicles equipped with handheld LiDAR, which allow us to capture data without relying solely on drones.

Data collection appears to be a key focus of your business. Could you elaborate on this area and share the industries, markets, or use cases where you aim to expand these services?

We believe in the power of big data. The more information you collect, the more interpretations you can make, and the better decisions you can take. We realised early on that most companies seeking drone services were not interested in the drone itself, but in the data it produced. However, some ended up acquiring a drone instead, and the drone would crash, either because the operator did not follow the rules, or because there are a lot of regulations under civil aviation rules. You cannot simply buy a drone and do as you please.

So we tried to understand what the data actually brings to the client. After listening to more and more clients, it became clear that if we could find a way to set aside the platform entirely and instead deliver data that is analysed, processed, and interpreted in terms they understand, then we would be adding real value to them.

Take the security sector as an example. Clients may require physical inspections using drones, planes, or satellites, but the true value lies in the end result: the information delivered to their devices. Whether it is detecting a fire, identifying a leak, or flagging unusual activity, the data itself is more meaningful than the method used to capture it.

This is why we emphasise outcomes over hardware. People may call us a drone company, but in reality, drones are only one of the vehicles we use. Our identity is rooted in data and also in how it is processed, interpreted, and transformed into actionable insights.


Looking ahead, what is your vision for SKT Live over the next few years, and where would you like to see the company positioned?

With the evolution of AI, we have always sought to develop our own algorithms. For example, when we fly over a farm and want to count trees, we develop algorithms and apply image recognition. But this has become much more achievable now with the evolution of AI. What we really want is to incorporate it fully in a way that eases our processes and allows us to scale up, potentially serving medium-sized clients as well.

The dream here, for example in Ghana, is to work with the Forestry Commission for the entire forest of Ghana. If they want to grant a concession, it should be based on the data we have captured, processed, and made available. Similarly, if municipalities wish to sell land for development, they should consult our data. Terrain analysis may reveal flood risks, and city planning should be guided by such insights.

Having lived abroad, I have seen how effective addressing systems can be. It is unfortunate that in Ghana it remains difficult to verify where someone lives. Banks, for instance, cannot confidently lend money because they lack reliable location data. This is precisely what we can address through GIS, data, and digitalisation. The dream is to have a fully reliable database, approved by the government, that can be used to verify people’s information. In Ghana today, we can verify your identity card and can confirm that it is truly you, but we cannot verify where you live. Where you live is exactly what our maps should be able to show. That is the goal, and it is actually a very near-term goal that we are actively working towards.

What works in Ghana will work in Côte d’Ivoire. What works in Côte d’Ivoire will work in most African countries. Ghana is even somewhat more advanced in this regard, given that we already have the Ghana Card for identity verification. But most of our neighbouring countries are not there yet at all.

Ultimately, our ambition is simple. I do not want people to think of SKT Live as a drone company. Drones will always remain one of the tools we use, but they are not the destination. The destination is reliable data. When organisations need trusted, actionable information to make important decisions, we want SKT Live to be the company they turn to. That is the vision we are building towards.


Let’s turn to Kibo Ghana. Could you give us a brief overview of the company and its core activities?

I previously ran a consultancy company in the Netherlands, and through that work I met the former owner of Kibo, Huib van Griensven, who is Dutch.

After seeing what we were capable of achieving, Huib asked me to help establish Kibo’s production operations in Kenya, with a particular focus on manufacturing processes and quality management. So we started by building the whole operation from the ground up, with the support of Holland and a local team. Everything was going well, and then in 2018 I started coming to Ghana, and in 2022 I moved there permanently.

When Huib realised I had moved to Ghana, he mentioned that Ghana had always been on his radar, even before Kenya, Ghana was actually on the list. So Huib came to Ghana to explore the opportunities, but he did not know many people here. When I told him I was here to stay, he said, “Okay, why not? Let’s bring Kibo to Ghana as well.”

That is essentially how it all started. My deep involvement in Kenya, combined with being based in Ghana, where the ease of doing business is quite favourable and well regarded. So naturally, we moved in that direction. A year later, Huib made the decision to move on to his family business, leaving the Kenya operation to the local team, whilst the Ghana operation remained with me.

How has the company been performing so far?

We have been operating in Ghana for less than two years, so the Kenyan market remains our largest and most established operation. However, our objective is to replicate in Ghana the same successful model that we have developed in Kenya. We have sold our stock well and established a large, dedicated warehouse where clients come for repairs, maintenance, and spare parts.

The Kibo, designed in Holland and assembled in Kenya, is built for Africa and is extremely robust. However, the challenge we face in both Kenya and Ghana is that the product is relatively expensive. While it offers durability, many clients remain price‑driven. They prefer to purchase a cheaper product, even if it lasts only six months, rather than invest in one that could serve them for five years.

When we recognised this, we jointly made a decision with the Kenyan team to develop a more affordable version of Kibo that we can sell at higher volumes. That process has already begun. The Kenyan team has already launched the cheaper version, and we are also expecting ours to arrive so that we can launch it here as well.


As we wrap up, is there anything you’d like to add or highlight that we haven’t covered during our discussion?

One of the defining characteristics of SKT is partnership. It is a core value. When I was in Holland running a much larger team, I made the decision to come to Africa as a form of contribution. But in fact, the biggest discovery I made is that in Africa, you can actually achieve much more, even with all the challenges that exist. The key is to bring the know-how, to partner with the right partners, and to do so on the condition that whatever we do must be done locally. If that condition is met, we can work together. That has been my approach ever since.

The decision to focus on data has also proven to be more and more the right one. Some clients will sit with me or come in and look at their data, and they are so pleased with it. Whenever I ask how they find the data, they can verify that it is accurate and that it genuinely meets their needs. That reaction says it all.


Are there any current or upcoming projects you can share with us?

Currently, we are working with several organisations, including Ghana Exim Bank, which has invested in agricultural plantations such as mango. In the past, when loans were issued, applicants would simply state the size of their land, with no reliable way of verifying it. We now capture and present this data on a platform that managers can access during meetings. They can see the actual size of farms, the number of mango trees, and the expected yield, giving them factual information to guide investment decisions.

We are also working with the Ga East Municipality, where we have flown over the entire area, mapped all the streets, and captured every building. Our teams have collected household biographical data, enabling us to estimate revenue collection and tax obligations compared to what is currently being paid. This project is transforming manual processes into digital systems.

Although the transition is challenging, we are adopting a hybrid approach to gradually move towards full digital revenue collection. Beyond taxation, the data also supports flood‑risk simulations, infrastructure assessments, and monitoring of new construction. Because we have established a satellite baseline, we can detect when new buildings appear and alert the authorities, allowing them to respond more efficiently.

We chose Ga East because it is one of the largest and most complex municipalities. Our aim was to focus on doing this project well, with the hope that it could then be expanded elsewhere.

With the data we have collected, having flown with LiDAR and generated digital terrain models, we can actually run flood simulations to show, based on the rainfall patterns we are observing, where flooding is likely to occur before it even happens. If you want to make any changes to the municipality, build a road, or alter traffic flow, you have the data and the base map to make those decisions confidently.

Another challenge is that many buildings are constructed without being recorded in any database. As a result, they are not taxed and contribute nothing to revenue collection. In contrast, when I lived in Holland, bills were issued regularly and transparently. Here, that system does not yet exist.

We are therefore building a comprehensive database to ensure that everyone contributes fairly. Some large, well‑built houses have never paid any tax, which is not sustainable. With accurate data, authorities can identify these properties and ensure that they pay what is due.