Drones are transforming how Zambian mines, farms, and construction sites gather data. Yet before you can lift off professionally, you must satisfy aviation, environmental, and corporate regulators. Use this step‑by‑step guide to launch a fully compliant drone photography and aerial survey business in Zambia—and position yourself as the go‑to partner for mining and farming clients.
1. Understand Zambia’s Drone Law Framework
Zambia’s Civil Aviation Authority (ZCAA) treats remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) as full‑fledged aircraft. That means every drone, pilot, and flight plan must meet defined legal standards.
Key Legal Pillars
| Requirement | Governing Body | Why It Matters |
| RPAS Regulations | ZCAA | Set safety rules, weight classes, flight limits |
| Air Service Permit (ASP) | Ministry of Transport & Logistics | Authorises commercial air services |
| Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) | Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) | Needed for surveys over mines or ecologically sensitive farms |
| Company Registration | Patents & Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) | Makes your business a legal entity |
2. Register Each Drone
- Apply for a Certificate of Registration
- Fee – ZMW 1,260 per drone
- Processing – ≈ 2–3 weeks
- Fee – ZMW 1,260 per drone
- Attach a Fire‑Resistant ID Plate showing nationality and registration number.
- Inspection – A ZCAA officer must physically examine the drone before approval.
Tip: Create a laminated “drone logbook” that travels with each aircraft. It speeds up inspections and proves meticulous record‑keeping to clients.
3. Secure Pilot Credentials
Remote Pilot Licence (RPL)
| Step | What to Do | Typical Duration |
| Theory training | 5 days (non‑pilots) or 2 days (licensed pilots) | 1 week |
| Practical flight hours | Minimum 3 | 1–2 days |
| Skills test | Conducted by ZCAA‑approved examiner | ½ day |
| Medical | Obtain Class 3 aviation medical | — |
You’ll also need:
- English Proficiency ≥ Level 4
- Restricted Radio Telephony Licence
Training providers such as ProWings Zambia bundle theory, flight time, and exam booking into one package.
4. Obtain Operator Certificates
| Document | Purpose |
| RPAS Operator Certificate (ROC) | Allows you to run a commercial drone organisation |
| Air Service Permit (ASP) | Legalises any fee‑based aerial work |
| Special Authorisations | Required for BVLOS, night flights, or altitudes > 120 m |
For each mission, file a Flight Operation Risk Assessment and airspace request. Surveys over mines often require Zambia Air Force clearance; large‑scale farm mapping may need only ZCAA approval if the land sits outside restricted zones.
5. Register the Company
- Name Reservation – Submit three options to PACRA.
- Forms 2, 5, 11 – Describe activities, share structure, registered office.
- Pay statutory fees – Online via the PACRA portal.
- Get Taxpayer Identification – Register with the Zambia Revenue Authority.
- Open a Business Bank Account – Required for client remittances and VAT filings.
6. Insurance and Safety Gear
| Cover | Minimum Best Practice |
| Public liability | USD 1 million |
| Hull / equipment | Full‑replacement value |
| Employer’s liability | If you hire additional pilots |
Carry a first‑aid kit and fire extinguisher on every job. Many mining clients make these items a contractual requirement.
7. Mining‑ and Farming‑Specific Compliance
Mining Sites
- EIA or Environment Project Brief – Mandatory for repeated flights over extraction zones.
- Mineral Rights Holder Consent – Attach to airspace application.
- Hazard Management – Dust, blasting schedules, and electromagnetic interference must be addressed in your risk assessment.
Agricultural Land
- Crop‑spraying exclusions – Photography is permitted, but spraying drones require extra pesticide approvals.
- Wildlife Buffer Zones – Maintain 300 m lateral distance from protected habitats to avoid disturbing game.
8. Operating Rules at a Glance
- Altitude ceiling – 120 m (400 ft) AGL.
- Keep the drone within 500 m and always visual line of sight unless BVLOS‑certified.
- No flights within 10 km of an airport or above crowds.
- Night flights need explicit written ZCAA authorisation.
- Launch/land off public roads only.
9. Budget Snapshot (per drone, year 1)
| Item | Cost (ZMW) | Notes |
| Registration & inspection | 1,260 | One‑off |
| RPAS Operator Certificate | 7,500–12,000 | Size of fleet affects fee |
| RPL training & exams | 8,000–15,000 | Varies by provider |
| Insurance premiums | 5,000–12,000 | Liability + hull |
| Corporate setup (PACRA, ZRA) | 2,000–4,000 | Entity formation |
| Marketing & software | 5,000+ | GIS, photogrammetry, website |
10. Winning Clients & Staying Compliant
- Set up automated renewal alerts for licences, insurance, and medicals.
- Offer data‑delivery guarantees (e.g., 24‑hour turnaround on orthomosaic maps) to stand out.
- Maintain an incident‑free record and share quarterly safety reports with mining houses—they value transparency.
- Engage ZCAA’s industry forums to stay ahead of regulatory updates.
Conclusion
The commercial drone space in Zambia is still young, yet heavily regulated. When you combine impeccable compliance with sector‑specific knowledge, you unlock lucrative aerial mapping contracts in mining and agriculture. Follow the steps above, invest in training, and build a culture of safety from day one. Your drone photography and aerial survey business will be cleared for take‑off—and primed for long‑term growth.
