This introductory chapter establishes the analytical and thematic foundations of the volume. It positions drone proliferation as a key element of current African security dynamics, emphasizing how state and non-state actors utilize unmanned systems across the continent for surveillance, military operations, peacekeeping, and coercive actions. The chapter presents the volume’s central argument: Africa is not simply a passive site for drone deployment but an active geopolitical arena where global power struggles, security innovations, and regulatory gaps intersect. It outlines the book’s structure and scope, highlighting three main themes—strategic and operational effects, contextual effectiveness, and ethical-legal issues—that inform the chapters. In this way, the introduction sets the stage for a more extensive examination of how drones are transforming the dynamics of power, sovereignty, and security governance in Africa and beyond.