Zipline: Why the US is Investing in African Drone Delivery

The United States Government is committing up to US$150m to support the expansion of Zipline International's drone delivery network.

The network delivers life-saving medical supplies to health facilities across Africa, with new capabilities created due to the investment.

As more business look to automate their processes, Zipline's operations could bring autonomous logistics to the forefront of efficiency.

A logistics partnership

Zipline is an American robotics company which designs, manufactures and operates one of the world's largest autonomous delivery systems. It operates across four continents and serves more than 5,000 hospitals and health facilities, transforming access to healthcare, consumer products and food.

Now, it has announced an agreement with the US Department of State to expand its services across Africa, having proved the value of drone delivery to healthcare. The partnership, once it reaches full scale, could triple the amount of hospitals and health facilities it serves, reaching up to 15,000 facilities. As a result, it could provide instant access to blood and medications to 130 million people. 

The US State Department will conduct a pay-for-performance model, providing Zipline with up to US$150m to expand its AI and robots infrastructure. This will help African governments provide 24/7 delivery of vital medical supplies to hospitals and health facilities. Up to US$400m in utilisation fees will be paid by African countries, as buyers of this critical service.

Once governments sign expansion contracts and show a long-term commitment to paying for these ongoing logistics services, funding will be released.

“We started Zipline to build a logistics system that serves all people equally. Today the US government is doubling down on our work, and using our AI, robotics and autonomous logistics system to improve health outcomes,” says Keller Rinaudo Cliffton, CEO and Co-Founder of Zipline. 

“For years, presidents and prime ministers have told me they want the best of what America has to offer: innovation, jobs and 21st century technology to leapfrog into the future. That has always been America’s unique value proposition and today, the State Department is making that happen.”

Driving efficient delivery

The safe and efficient delivery of critical materials, such as medicines, require a thorough logistics system. With Zipline's drones being able to deliver these products at speed, it has reduced the risk of spoiled products and slow service.

Since 2016, Zipline has completed 1.8 million autonomous deliveries and avoided any safety incidents. Independent research shows:

• This on-demand delivery has helped save tens of thousands of lives
• In Zipline-supported health facilities, maternal deaths have been reduced by up to 56%
• Stockouts of medicine and vaccines are reduced by 60% where Zipline delivers 
• In the areas where Zipline operates, immunisation rates have increased 13-37 percentage points

In some areas in Africa, the average time from order placement to order delivery is 13 days - for the facilities served by Zipline in those same areas, this has been reduced to under 30 minutes.

“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,” explains Caitlin Burton, CEO of Zipline’s Africa business.

“This award marks a pivotal moment in foreign aid — the US government is backing Africa’s vision, building the infrastructure Africa wants, and accelerating the adoption of American innovation that’s proven to work and recognised as one of the most cost-effective public health interventions ever studied. It will forever change the trajectory of human health and development in Africa.”

The partnership uses US innovation to increase global health capabilities, using AI, robotics and autonomous logistics to develop improvements.

New Zipline hubs will be constructed, due to the financing from the US. Local employees will fully staff these new hubs, driving economic growth and serving the community through new skilled jobs.

Autonomous logistics

The US investment into Zipline furthers the capability of autonomous logistics, which currently reaches less than 1% of the global population. Autonomous logistics has the ability to serve billions of people around the world, bringing fast and efficient logistics services to more people.

"Rwanda and Zipline have been working together for years to harness technology for the good of our people. We have witnessed the extraordinary impact of drone delivery — saving time, saving money, and saving lives,” adds Minister Paula Ingabire, Minister of ICT and Innovation, Government of Rwanda.

“With this partnership, we will now expand to urban delivery, bringing these benefits to even more communities. We thank the US Government for supporting Zipline’s expansion and for joining us in building the foundation for Africa’s future in healthcare and innovation.”  

Zipline has worked with governments and philanthropic organisations for years, helping improve the health of tens of millions of people. With the joint support of America and Africa, Zipline is expanding its capabilities and bringing autonomous logistics to the forefront.