Rwandan Drone Startup Receives Funding

Rwandan drone startup Charis UAS has received an undisclosed amount of funding from UK-based XM2 PURSUIT, a leading global provider of moving camera systems.

Launched in 2014, Charis UAS was the first-ever licensed Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) company in Rwanda. It provides drone-based services to businesses, providing aerial imagery, data gathering and analysis solutions in order to support intelligent decision making and optimize business operations.

The funding round raised from the UK-based XM2 PURSUIT will help the startup broaden its market reach across Africa and build more drone-based technological solutions.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Charis UAS, Eric Rutayisire Muziga stated that his team was pleased to have the opportunity to partner and work with XM2 PURSUIT; “We are thrilled to work with a cutting-edge company such as XM2 PURSUIT. As a result of this investment, we plan to rapidly expand across the continent and build upon our current drone-based technological solutions and manufacturing services”.

“Africa is rapidly adopting new technologies and open to new innovations. Having the investment, support, and expertise of XM2 PURSUIT will help us execute our vision to support intelligent decision making and scale up the manufacturing of drones on the African continent. This will also create thousands of high skilled jobs for the youth on our beloved continent”, he noted.

Aidan Kelly, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of XM2 PURSUIT, said Charis UAS’ strong track record for providing drone services is what inspired the investment.

Charis UAS currently operates in Tanzania, Gabon, Côte d’Ivoire, and Uganda.