$150M Funding to Expand Drone Delivery of Blood, Vaccines, and Medicines Across Africa

The United States Department of State has announced a $150 million financing package to help Zipline, the California-based autonomous drone company, expand its healthcare delivery network across Africa. Unlike traditional aid, the funding follows a “pay-for-performance” model, with capital released only after partner governments commit to covering ongoing operational costs, a first for the State Department.

Since its launch in 2016, Zipline has made over 1.7 million deliveries and flown more than 120 million commercial autonomous miles without a safety incident. Its drones currently serve rural healthcare systems, delivering critical supplies such as blood, vaccines, and medications to remote regions.

With this new funding, Zipline aims to triple its footprint, reaching 15,000 health facilities and an estimated 130 million people. The expansion will also include a shift in technology, with Rwanda set to deploy short-range precision delivery drones for urban communities. This is a significant evolution from the long-range fixed-wing drones typically used for rural drops.

Rwanda will host a flagship testing facility for Zipline’s global hardware and software products, positioning the country as a hub for innovation in autonomous logistics. The project is expected to create over 800 high-skilled jobs in logistics, robotics, and health systems management across the continent.