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Rwanda has reached a major milestone with US drone delivery firm Zipline, signing a new pact that sets the stage for nationwide autonomous medical logistics.
The agreement comes as part of a $150 million “pay-for-performance” funding initiative from the United States Department of State, aimed at boosting the use of advanced drone systems to deliver blood, vaccines and other vital health supplies across the country.
Under this funding model, money from the US will be released only after partner governments formalize expansion plans and commit to covering the long-term operating costs of the service, creating a structure designed to make drone delivery a sustained part of national health infrastructure rather than a temporary donor project.
Officials say the new deal makes Rwanda the first nation globally to achieve full autonomous logistics coverage.
Kigali will also be the first city in Africa to use Zipline’s urban delivery platform and to host an autonomous testing center, critical steps in adapting drone technology to the demands of dense urban populations.
Rwanda’s government expects the expanded system to significantly cut the time it takes to get essential medical goods to clinics and hospitals, particularly in remote or hard-to-reach areas, potentially improving patient outcomes and reinforcing the country’s broader healthcare system.
The service builds on Rwanda’s long history with Zipline’s technology; the company first began flying medical deliveries there in 2016 to overcome challenges posed by the nation’s rugged terrain and limited road networks.
Rwanda’s Minister of ICT and Innovation, Paula Ingabire, said the country has seen the clear benefits of integrating drone logistics into its health supply chain, noting the systems have saved time and money while enhancing lives.
As part of the expansion, Zipline will deploy its Platform 2 (P2) urban delivery drones in Kigali, where nearly 40 per cent of national health demand is concentrated. These drones are designed for rapid, quiet deliveries in cities.
The pact also includes the construction of a new long-range distribution hub in Karongi District, which will supplement existing facilities in Muhanga and Kayonza and extend service reach to more than 11 million people.
Zipline Africa’s CEO, Caitlin Burton, described Rwanda’s leadership and this collaboration as setting new benchmarks for how innovation can be deployed by governments to address critical challenges.
In addition to the infrastructure rollout, Zipline will establish its first international AI and robotics testing facility in Rwanda, intended to support the advancement of autonomous aircraft, safety systems, and next-generation logistics software.
Zipline’s work in Rwanda has delivered supplies to thousands of health facilities since 2016, and the company now plans to replicate this expanded model in Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya and Nigeria under the US-backed program.
This new phase of cooperation highlights a shift in how foreign assistance can be structured, blending private-sector technology with government commitments to build durable, locally supported public-health infrastructure.
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