$150 Million from the State Department and Matching African Investments Could Triple Access to Essential Medicines
Zipline will soon expand its medical drone delivery services across Africa through a landmark agreement with the U.S. Department of State. The expansion could help up to 130 million people gain rapid access to lifesaving blood and medicines. The announcement marks one of the most significant public investments in autonomous medical logistics to date.
A New Pay-for-Performance Model
Zipline designs, builds, and operates the world’s largest autonomous delivery system. With support from the U.S. government, Zipline could grow its network from 5,000 to 15,000 hospitals and health facilities. African governments will match the investment by paying up to $400 million in utilization fees for ongoing delivery services.
Under the new model, the State Department will provide up to $150 million to fund Zipline’s expansion. Funds will be released only when governments sign contracts and commit to long-term logistics payments.
“We started Zipline to build a logistics system that serves all people equally. Today the U.S. government is doubling down on our work, and using our AI, robotics and autonomous logistics system to improve health outcomes,” said Keller Rinaudo Cliffton, CEO and Co-Founder of Zipline. He added that world leaders have long sought “the best of what America has to offer” in technology and innovation.
Jeremy Lewin, Under Secretary of State for Foreign Assistance, Humanitarian Affairs and Religious Freedom, emphasized the strategic value of the partnership. “This partnership is an example of the innovative, results-driven partnership at the core of the America First foreign assistance agenda. With modest U.S. capital investment support, these five countries will become responsible for maintaining and continuing to invest in a transformative American-built health commodities supply chain network,” he said.
Proven Results in Public Health
Zipline has completed 1.8 million autonomous deliveries since 2016 with zero safety incidents. Its system gives health workers reliable, on-demand access to blood, vaccines, and medicines. Independent research shows strong results from Zipline-supported health systems.
Tens of thousands of lives have been saved through on-demand delivery. Maternal deaths fell by up to 56 percent in supported facilities. Stockouts of medicine and vaccines dropped by 60 percent, and immunization rates rose as much as 37 percentage points. Studies also show Zipline is one of the most cost-effective immunization interventions ever measured.
In some countries, medical deliveries that once took 13 days now arrive in under 30 minutes.
Caitlin Burton, CEO of Zipline’s Africa business, noted the importance of local investment. “African governments are choosing to invest their own resources in Zipline because it works, and it’s incredible value for money. It solves intractable global health challenges like maternal mortality, malnutrition, and under 5 mortality,” she said.
Support from African Leaders
Rwanda, expected to be the first to sign under the new model, has long partnered with Zipline. Minister Paula Ingabire highlighted the benefits of expansion. “We have witnessed the extraordinary impact of drone delivery — saving time, saving money, and saving lives,” she said.
Nigeria’s Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, said that Zipline improves access to care in underserved regions. “Existing Zipline operations in three Nigerian states have shown how drone delivery can transform access to healthcare — eliminating stockouts, creating new service points even where there is no health facility,” he said.
In Côte d’Ivoire, Minister Pierre Dimba said the service supports a “modern, resilient health system” and strengthens national health sovereignty. He noted clear gains in delivery times, product availability, and health facility performance.
Investing in Local Jobs and Infrastructure
Every Zipline hub is staffed by local workers and supports long-term job growth. The new funding will help build additional hubs across Africa. The State Department will release funds only after countries commit to expansion and meet metrics for performance.
The partnership reflects a broader shift toward commercial diplomacy, in which U.S. innovation supports global development. It is also the State Department’s first foreign assistance award leveraging AI, robotics, and autonomous logistics.
The Future of Global Logistics
Autonomous delivery still reaches fewer than one percent of the world’s population. Zipline’s leaders say this agreement brings the world closer to a future where advanced logistics serve billions.
“When Zipline made its first delivery in 2016 it was seen as a crazy experiment,” the release notes. Today, it is part of national health systems across Africa and is recognized for measurable impact.
The new expansion aims to show how autonomous logistics can scale, deliver results, and support long-term economic growth. The model is designed to help other governments and organizations adopt similar programs.
For more information, visit Zipline.com/Africa.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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