Abstract Drones are being used in various industries, focusing on youth involvement and mapping activities as a key component of the multiple initiatives. YouthMappers are creating open-source geospatial data using geospatial technology to address local developmental and humanitarian issues in Malawi and beyond. As the world works to meet the Sustainable Development Goals, this new technology, combined with significant youth involvement, is being used to its full potential because of its sophistication, which allows for more efficient operations in support of industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9) and responsible consumption and production (SDG 12) in the health sector for delivery, precision agriculture and the education sector, to name a few.