Sora Technology Raises $2.5M to Scale Drone-AI Solutions in Africa

Sora Technology Raises $2.5M to Scale Drone-AI Solutions in Africa

In the global fight against malaria, the most effective weapon might not be a vaccine or a net—it might be a drone. As of January 2026, Japanese deep-tech startup Sora Technology has successfully raised an additional $2.5 million in the second close of its late seed funding round.

This fresh capital brings the company’s total funding to approximately $7.3 million, following an earlier $4.8 million raise in March 2025. With new backing from investors like Daiwa House Group and UNERI Capital, Sora is set to expand its high-tech malaria elimination efforts across more than 10 African countries.

In this post, we’ll explore how Sora Technology is using artificial intelligence and drones to “predict” disease outbreaks before they happen and why their expansion is a game-changer for healthcare in Africa.

1. What is SORA Malaria Control?

Malaria remains one of the world’s deadliest challenges, causing nearly 600,000 deaths annually, with a staggering 95% of these cases occurring in Africa. Sora Technology’s flagship initiative, SORA Malaria Control, is tackling this head-on using a strategy called Larval Source Management (LSM).

Instead of just treating sick people, Sora targets the source: the mosquitoes.

• The Tech: Proprietary fixed-wing drones fly 100 meters above the ground to capture high-resolution imagery of local landscapes.

• The AI: Advanced AI models analyze these images to identify water bodies and “puddles” that serve as breeding grounds.

• The Action: The AI doesn’t just find water; it ranks which sites pose the highest risk based on water depth, temperature, and surrounding vegetation. This allows health teams to apply larvicides (insecticides that kill larvae) with surgical precision.

The Impact in Numbers

Results from Sora’s pilot projects in Ghana and Sierra Leone have been remarkable. By using AI to target only the most dangerous breeding sites, the company has seen:

• 70% reduction in the amount of insecticide used.

• 50% decrease in labor costs for health workers.

• 40% savings on overall prevention costs.

2. From Japan to 10+ African Nations

Although Sora Technology was founded in Nagoya, Japan (2018), its heart is firmly in Africa. The company is already active in over 10 countries, including:

• West Africa: Ghana, Benin, Sierra Leone, Senegal.

• East & Central Africa: Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo.

• Southern Africa: Mozambique (where they have a partnership with the World Health Organization).

CEO Yosuke Kaneko emphasizes that the company is building “healthcare infrastructure,” not just providing a temporary service. By working directly with local governments and international health bodies, Sora ensures that its tech becomes a permanent part of the national health strategy.

3. Beyond Health: Mining and Agriculture

While malaria is the primary mission, Sora’s drone-AI combo is proving useful in other high-stakes industries. This versatility puts them in the same conversation as industry giants like Zipline and Terra.

Precision Agriculture

In Cross River State, Nigeria, Sora recently signed an MoU to advance “Smart Agriculture.” Their drones monitor soil moisture and crop health, helping farmers increase yields while using fewer chemicals. They are also conducting soil analysis for cacao farms in Ghana.

Environmental Monitoring in Mining

The mining industry is another major frontier. Sora’s environmental intelligence tools help mining companies monitor their impact on the land and ensure they are meeting environmental regulations. This directly competes with companies like Terra, which reported $2 million in mining-related orders in 2024.

4. What’s Next for Sora Technology?

The newly raised $2.5 million isn’t just for staying afloat; it’s for scaling up. The company plans to:

1. Advance AI Models: Further refine the “predictive” capabilities of their software to forecast outbreaks before they occur.

2. Team Expansion: Hire more local technical staff within their African partner countries.

3. Prepare for Series A: Build a solid operational foundation across the continent ahead of a larger institutional funding round.

The success of Sora Technology shows that the future of African healthcare is increasingly data-driven. By combining satellite data, drones, and AI, we can move from reactive treatments to proactive prevention. If Sora hits its goal of “zero loss of life due to infectious diseases,” the sky is truly the limit.

TechCity