William Elong is a Cameroonian technology entrepreneur, business strategist and innovator known for developing drone technology and promoting African participation in advanced technology industries. He founded Will & Brothers, a consulting company focused on economic intelligence and technological innovation, before developing Drone Africa, a venture that produced civilian drones in Cameroon.
His career has placed him at the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence and African economic development. His work has also attracted international recognition, particularly for his efforts to develop locally produced drone technology.
Who Is William Elong?
William Ndja Elong was born in 1993 in Eboné, Cameroon. He grew up in a family with entrepreneurial and professional interests and developed an early fascination with computers, robotics and astrophysics.
His academic development was unusually rapid. He completed his secondary education at a very young age and later obtained business qualifications in Cameroon and France. He eventually specialised in strategy and competitive intelligence at the School of Economic Warfare in Paris.
Rather than following a conventional engineering route, Elong combined business education with self-directed interest in computing and technology. That combination became central to his approach to entrepreneurship.
William Elong Age
William Elong is 33 years old as of September 2026. He was born in 1993 in Eboné, Cameroon.
His early academic achievements attracted attention because he completed his baccalaureate at 15 and went on to obtain higher qualifications years ahead of the conventional academic timeline.
Education
Elong studied at HEC Business School Yaoundé, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in sales management. He also received a qualification from the École Supérieure de Commerce de La Rochelle in France.
He later earned an MBA in strategy and competitive intelligence from the School of Economic Warfare in Paris. He became the youngest graduate in strategy and competitive intelligence from the institution at the time.
Although he did not train as an aerospace engineer, his independent interest in computer science, robotics and technology became important to his later work with drones and artificial intelligence.
Early Career
Elong began his professional career in France, where he worked with major companies including Thales and Oracle. These experiences exposed him to technology, defence-related industries, information systems and corporate operations.
He eventually returned to Cameroon and began building businesses around economic intelligence and technology.
His experience working for established companies influenced his decision to create an independent venture focused on applying information, technology and strategic analysis to African business challenges.
Will & Brothers
Elong founded Will & Brothers, a consulting company specialising in economic intelligence and technological innovation.
The company provided a platform for his work in strategic research, technology development and entrepreneurship. It also became the foundation for his later activities in drone technology.
His objective extended beyond conventional consulting. He wanted to develop technologies that could address practical challenges in African markets while creating local technical expertise.
Drone Africa and Algo Drone
Elong’s most recognised technology project is Drone Africa, which he developed as a civilian drone initiative.
The project focused on applications such as agriculture, cartography, tourism, meteorology, security and environmental monitoring. The technology was designed to collect aerial imagery and data that could be used for practical economic and social purposes.
In 2018, the company publicly presented drones developed and manufactured in Cameroon. The achievement attracted considerable attention because it demonstrated that advanced unmanned aerial technology could be developed locally.
Drone Africa later evolved into Algo Drone, with the business expanding its ambitions beyond Cameroon. In 2019, Algo Drone Holding was established internationally in Germany, supporting the company’s plans to serve a wider market.
The venture has also explored artificial intelligence, including systems designed to make drones more capable of identifying objects, people and other features in collected imagery.
Technology and Artificial Intelligence
Elong’s technology interests extend beyond physical drones.
He has promoted the use of artificial intelligence, software and data analysis as important components of modern African technological development. His work has examined how drones can become more useful when combined with intelligent software rather than functioning simply as flying cameras.
He has also expressed interest in applying artificial intelligence to healthcare, including research into algorithms that could help identify abnormal cells.
This broader focus reflects his view that Africa’s technological development should involve not only importing finished products but also developing software, technical expertise and locally relevant solutions.
Other Technology Initiatives
Elong has participated in initiatives designed to increase young people’s exposure to technology and entrepreneurship.
He has been associated with Cameroon Flying Lab, which promotes robotics and technology education among young people. He was also involved in the development of Developers Institute Cameroon, a programming education initiative.
These activities complement his commercial work by focusing on technical skills and the development of future African technology professionals.
Awards and Recognition
William Elong has received recognition for his work in entrepreneurship and technology.
His notable achievements and distinctions include:
- Recognition among Africa’s promising young entrepreneurs
- Ranking in Forbes Africa’s selection of promising young African entrepreneurs
- Recognition as a leading young Cameroonian technology entrepreneur
- Development of civilian drones in Cameroon
- Establishment of Will & Brothers
- Development of Drone Africa and its successor, Algo Drone
- International expansion of his drone business through Algo Drone Holding
- Promotion of robotics and technology education among young people
His work has also earned invitations to African economic and entrepreneurship conferences, where he has discussed technology, innovation and the role of young African entrepreneurs.
Family and Personal Life
Elong was born into a family of five children and is the eldest among his siblings. His parents worked in professional and business-related fields, giving him early exposure to entrepreneurship.
He has generally kept his private family life away from public attention. His public profile is instead strongly associated with technology, business and African innovation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is William Elong?
William Elong is 33 years old as of September 2026. He was born in 1993 in Cameroon.
Where is William Elong from?
William Elong is from Eboné in Cameroon.
What did William Elong study?
He studied sales management at HEC Business School Yaoundé and later pursued business studies in France. He also earned an MBA in strategy and competitive intelligence from the School of Economic Warfare in Paris.
What company did William Elong found?
He founded Will & Brothers, a consulting company focused on economic intelligence and technological innovation.
What is William Elong known for?
He is best known for developing civilian drone technology in Cameroon through Drone Africa, which later became associated with Algo Drone.
What technology does William Elong work with?
His work has focused on drones, artificial intelligence, data analysis, robotics and technological innovation.
Conclusion
William Elong has built his career around the idea that African entrepreneurs can develop advanced technologies rather than simply consume imported solutions. His journey from an exceptionally young student to a technology entrepreneur has taken him through consulting, economic intelligence, drone manufacturing and artificial intelligence.
His development of locally produced civilian drones gave his career an international profile, while his continuing interest in artificial intelligence and technology education has broadened his contribution to Africa’s technology ecosystem. His work remains closely connected to the wider challenge of developing African technical capacity and locally relevant innovation.