Arco Worldwide Services
Arco Worldwide Services is a Nigerian drone services company that provides aerial surveillance, industrial inspection, mapping, pilot training, and OEM drone distribution for oil & gas, defence, and government clients across Nigeria.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersLagos, Nigeria
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Arco Worldwide Services does
Arco Worldwide Services Limited (ARCO Worldwide) is a Nigerian drone services company headquartered in Lagos and operating as a subsidiary of ARCO Group Plc. Founded in 2016 by Managing Director Okosubide Mozimo, the company has grown from a one-person engineering operation to over 100 staff and is positioned as Nigeria's pioneer commercial drone operator and first authorized DJI Enterprise reseller. Its primary verticals are Oil & Gas (pipeline right-of-way surveillance, facility security), Defence & Security (border patrol, national security support), and Government & Public Sectors, with secondary coverage of Agriculture, Construction & Infrastructure, Telecommunications, Power, Mining, Maritime, and Media & Entertainment (drone light shows).
The company's technical platform is built around unmanned aerial systems ranging from DJI Enterprise Matrice and Mavic platforms (resold through its authorized channel) to proprietary assets including the Mobile Drone Operations Command Centre (MDOC), a retrofitted Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with LEO satellite connectivity and the Sky Whale VTOL drone (3-hour endurance, 60km range), and a Textron Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 VTOL UAS fleet for defence-grade deployments. AI capabilities comprise computer vision for thermal and visual inspections and anomaly detection for pipeline encroachment and vandalism, integrated with GIS data inside the MDOC. ARCO pilots hold both manned and unmanned aviation licenses and the company holds dual NCAA and ONSA certifications plus ISO 9001 quality management and Bureau Veritas compliance, enabling BVLOS operations.
The business model combines professional services (aerial surveillance, industrial inspection, drone survey and mapping, drone pilot training, and drone light shows), managed services (oil and gas infrastructure security under multi-year contracts), and hardware revenue (DJI Enterprise resale and proprietary MDOC/Sky Whale productization). Go-to-market is enterprise field sales targeting oil & gas operators (including NLNG and Tantita Security Services), defence and security agencies, and government bodies (including NACETEM), supplemented by the DJI distribution channel. Pricing is quote-based with multi-year contract cadence, and the company cites 24/7 operational readiness across Nigeria with ambitions to expand across West Africa and the broader continent.
Arco Worldwide Services firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Arco Worldwide Services
- Legal name
- ARCO Worldwide Services Limited
- Website
- https://arcoworldwide.ng
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Arco Worldwide Services is a Nigerian drone services company that provides aerial surveillance, industrial inspection, mapping, pilot training, and OEM drone distribution for oil & gas, defence, and government clients across Nigeria.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Arco Worldwide Services industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Commercial Drone Services
- NAICS
- Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (54136)
- SIC
- Oil & Gas Field Services, Nec (1389), Oil & Gas Field Machinery & Equipment (3533)
- akta.pro primary industry
- UAS Ground Control Stations (GCS) & Remote Operations Infrastructure (IMABAIAL)
Keywords
Where Arco Worldwide Services is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lagos
- HQ country
- Nigeria
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices3 records
Markets served
Arco Worldwide Services business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Drone Services: Recurring and project-based revenue from aerial surveillance, inspection, and mapping services for enterprise clients across oil & gas, defense, and infrastructure sectors
- Drone Hardware Sales & Resale: Revenue from selling DJI Enterprise drone solutions (Matrice and Mavic series) as an authorized reseller, including supply, integration, training, and support services
- Drone Pilot Training: Revenue from Nigeria's first NCAA-approved drone aviation academy providing commercial drone pilot certification training
- Drone Entertainment Shows: Revenue from West Africa's pioneering drone light show services for entertainment and events
- Managed Security Services: Managed services for oil and gas infrastructure security using unmanned aerial systems, potentially under long-term contracts
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom enterprise solutions with quote-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels7 records
Arco Worldwide Services product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ARCO Worldwide Services is a licensed Nigerian drone services company delivering aerial surveillance, industrial inspection, drone survey and mapping, drone sales and deployment, drone light shows, and commercial drone pilot training. It is the first NCAA and ONSA dual-licensed commercial drone operator in Nigeria, an authorized DJI Enterprise reseller, and operator of the proprietary Mobile Drone Operations Command Centre (MDOC) for pipeline and infrastructure monitoring.
Product overview
ARCO Worldwide Services is Nigeria's only premier multi-sector aerial solutions company offering an integrated portfolio of drone services, products, and training. The core offering comprises aerial surveillance and security monitoring, industrial inspection (thermal/visual), drone survey and mapping, drone sales and deployment, drone shows, and pilot training services. The company operates as an authorized DJI Enterprise reseller (Matrice and Mavic series) and has developed proprietary products including the Mobile Drone Operations Command Centre (MDOC) — a mobile ground control system with LEO satellite connectivity — and the Sky Whale VTOL drone. ARCO also offers Remote Drone Operations (DOCK) for automated deployments. The company holds dual licensing from NCAA and ONSA, with pilots holding both manned and unmanned aviation licenses, enabling BVLOS operations across Nigeria's demanding sectors including Oil & Gas, Defence, Maritime, Power, Agriculture, and Telecommunications.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Aerial Surveillance & Security Monitoring
- Industrial Inspection
- Drone Survey & Mapping
- Drone Sales & Deployment Authorized DJI Enterprise reseller service providing drone supply, integration, training, and support for institutional clients in Nigeria.
- Drone Shows & Entertainment
- Drone Pilot Training
- Remote Drone Operations (DOCK) Remote drone operation solution enabling automated, autonomous drone deployments from fixed locations for continuous surveillance coverage.
- Mobile Drone Operations Command Centre (MDOC) Nigeria's first commercial mobile drone command hub, a customized Mercedes-Benz Sprinter retrofitted as a climate-controlled drone command centre with LEO satellite connectivity and Sky Whale VTOL drone for real-time pipeline surveillance.
- Sky Whale VTOL Drone Vertical take-off and landing drone with 3-hour endurance and 60km operational range, deployed from the MDOC for pipeline surveillance and encroachments detection.
Quantifiable outcome
- 70% of modern warfare equipment comprises drones
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Arco Worldwide Services
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Arco Worldwide Services technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability6 records
Feature4 records
Arco Worldwide Services partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM)coreARCO signed a Memorandum of Understanding with NACETEM to develop drone technology across multiple sectors including security, agriculture, oil and gas, medicine, and infrastructure. The partnership aims to train young Nigerians in drone production and piloting, addressing capital flight previously associated with overseas drone pilot training. This government partnership supports national technology development goals.
- DJI EnterprisecoreARCO Worldwide became Nigeria's first authorized DJI Enterprise reseller through this strategic partnership. The alliance positions ARCO as the central hub for standardized drone adoption in Nigeria. Under the agreement, ARCO gains access to DJI's Matrice and Mavic enterprise series drone solutions for deployment in security and surveillance operations, particularly in the oil and gas sector for pipeline monitoring and infrastructure protection.
- Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG)coreARCO partnered with NLNG to inaugurate Nigeria's first commercial Mobile Drone Operations Command Centre (MDOC) at NLNG's Corporate Head Office in Port Harcourt. The mobile unit employs VTOL drones and satellite connectivity to monitor pipeline rights-of-way in real time, with full deployment now underway across NLNG's facilities for detection of encroachments and vandalism.
- Textron SystemsflagshipTextron Systems was awarded a contract by ARCO Worldwide Services (AWS) to deliver three Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 VTOL UAS aircraft in an ITAR-free configuration for deployment in Nigeria. The aircraft are used by Tantita Security Services to provide security for Nigeria's oil and gas infrastructure. The deal includes options for training and additional aircraft, building on previous Foreign Military Sale contract capabilities.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights8 records
Arco Worldwide Services competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- DJI Enterprise: World's leading commercial drone manufacturer whose Matrice and Mavic enterprise series power much of ARCO's service offering. Functions as both technology partner and broader incumbent shaping the entire commercial UAS market ARCO operates in.
- Textron Systems: US defense prime and Aerosonde VTOL UAS manufacturer that supplies ARCO with aircraft for the Tantita deployment. Broad incumbent providing the platform-level UAS hardware that ARCO integrates and operates.
Direct peers
- HAZON Solutions: US drone inspection and UAS program management firm for utilities, oil & gas, and critical infrastructure. Comparable to ARCO's enterprise aerial inspection and managed services model.
- Percepto: Provider of autonomous drone-in-a-box inspection solutions for industrial sites including oil & gas, power, and mining. Comparable to ARCO's Remote Drone Operations (DOCK) and industrial inspection offerings.
- Cyberhawk Innovations: UK-based global leader in drone-based inspection and surveys for the oil & gas, utility, and infrastructure sectors. Highly comparable to ARCO's industrial inspection and right-of-way surveillance offering for enterprise customers.
- Easy Aerial: Provider of autonomous drone-based surveillance and inspection solutions for defense, security, and infrastructure clients. Comparable in addressing security and infrastructure monitoring use cases with VTOL-class platforms.
- Skyports: UK-based operator of drone services and infrastructure for inspection, monitoring, and logistics. Comparable in offering drone-enabled enterprise services with a focus on regulated, mission-critical deployments.
- Aerodyne Group: Malaysia-headquartered drone-based enterprise solutions provider operating across infrastructure, oil & gas, agriculture, and security in emerging markets. Closely comparable to ARCO's multi-sector aerial services playbook in frontier markets.
- PrecisionHawk: US-based drone services and data analytics company serving energy, agriculture, and infrastructure clients. Comparable in combining drone operations with geospatial/GIS data products similar to ARCO's survey & mapping line.
- Terra Drone: Global drone services company with operations across multiple continents providing surveying, inspection, and UAV solutions for oil & gas, mining, and infrastructure. Direct comparable to ARCO's multi-vertical aerial intelligence model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Arco Worldwide Services social profiles
Digital presenceArco Worldwide Services compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
Arco Worldwide Services financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Arco Worldwide Services leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Arco Worldwide Services funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Arco Worldwide Services M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Arco Worldwide Services
What does Arco Worldwide Services do?
ARCO Worldwide Services is a licensed Nigerian drone services company delivering aerial surveillance, industrial inspection, drone survey and mapping, drone sales and deployment, drone light shows, and commercial drone pilot training. It is the first NCAA and ONSA dual-licensed commercial drone operator in Nigeria, an authorized DJI Enterprise reseller, and operator of the proprietary Mobile Drone Operations Command Centre (MDOC) for pipeline and infrastructure monitoring.
Is Arco Worldwide Services a public or private company?
Arco Worldwide Services is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Arco Worldwide Services founded?
Arco Worldwide Services was founded in 2016. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Arco Worldwide Services based?
Arco Worldwide Services is headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, in the Africa region.
How does Arco Worldwide Services make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Drone Services are the primary driver. The others are drone Hardware Sales & Resale, drone Pilot Training, drone Entertainment Shows and managed Security Services.
Who are Arco Worldwide Services's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are DJI Enterprise and Textron Systems. Direct peers are HAZON Solutions, Percepto, Cyberhawk Innovations, Easy Aerial, Skyports, Aerodyne Group, PrecisionHawk and Terra Drone.
Does Arco Worldwide Services have an API?
No public API is recorded for Arco Worldwide Services.
What industry is Arco Worldwide Services in?
Arco Worldwide Services's product category is Commercial Drone Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAIAL, UAS Ground Control Stations (GCS) & Remote Operations Infrastructure. Its NAICS code is 54136 and its SIC code is 1389.