By Abdullahi Lukman
The Mara Elephant Project (MEP) has announced it will serve as a conservation partner for the Global Conservation Tech & Drone Forum (GCTDF) 2026, scheduled to hold from March 2 to 6, 2026, in Nairobi and Konza Technopolis, Kenya.
The forum, themed “Technology in Service of Nature: Protecting Wildlife, Supporting People, Restoring Ecosystems,” will convene rangers, community leaders, technologists, researchers, policymakers and youth from across Africa and beyond.
Discussions will focus on how tools such as drones, satellite sensors, geographic information systems (GIS) and data-driven platforms can be applied to biodiversity protection, ecosystem restoration and community resilience.
As part of its partnership role, MEP will support the launch of the inaugural Youth Conservation Tech Award 2026, a non-cash recognition programme aimed at individuals aged 25 and under who are using technology in practical, field-based conservation efforts.
The award will recognise operational solutions — including drone monitoring, sensor networks and conservation data platforms — that demonstrate measurable impact, ethical application of technology and leadership.
Winners will be selected through a multi-stakeholder judging process and honoured during a plenary session at the forum.
Awardees will receive certificates, sponsored participation in the five-day event and professional visibility through official communications.
Nominations are open to candidates across Africa and similar conservation regions.
MEP, which operates across the Greater Mara Ecosystem, uses technology extensively in its conservation work, particularly drones for wildlife monitoring and rapid response to human-elephant conflict.
The organisation also prioritises ranger training and capacity building.
At the forum, MEP will share its experience in training rangers in drone operations and data-informed decision-making, supporting knowledge exchange programmes across Africa, integrating emerging technologies into land-use and ecosystem monitoring, and promoting the inclusion of women and youth in technology-driven conservation roles.
MEP Chief Executive Officer Marc Goss said participation in the forum reflects the organisation’s commitment to collaborative, field-tested conservation solutions.
He noted that while emerging technologies are driving innovation, their effectiveness depends on practical experience and accessibility to those shaping the future of conservation in Africa.