US EditionUS to Deliver Medical Supplies by Drone in Africa After Severe Aid Cuts
The investment will triple hospital access to Zipline’s medical drone network, reaching 130 million people across multiple African nations, supporting local jobs and health infrastructure.
- Nov. 25, 2025, the U.S. State Department awarded $150 million to Zipline, drone delivery company, to triple its medical drone network across Africa, expanding urgent deliveries of blood, vaccines, and medicines.
- U.S. officials framed the move as shifting aid to a first-of-its-kind `pay-for-performance` model linking payments to results and building infrastructure with American technology.
- Operational data indicate Zipline has completed 1.8 million autonomous deliveries with zero safety incidents, and independent research shows up to 56% cut in maternal mortality and 60% fewer stockouts.
- The deal tasks the U.S. with upfront costs while African partner governments must opt in and may shoulder service fees up to $400 million, as the U.S. State Department underwrites manufacturing and supports U.S. manufacturing jobs.
- The goal is to increase facilities from 5,000 to 15,000, potentially reaching 100 million to 130 million people and offering a replicable model for other aid agencies.
17 Articles
17 Articles
US offers drone firm Zipline $150M to expand in Africa
The US government awarded drone logistics company Zipline $150 million to fund its expansion across Africa. The California-headquartered company began operations in Rwanda in 2016, pioneering the use of drones to deliver blood, drugs, and other health care products to and from medical facilities. It has expanded in recent years to Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria. The commitment from the US stipulates that funds will be released “only wh…
US to deliver medical supplies by drone in Africa after severe aid cuts
The U.S. State Department announced a new agreement to help provide medical supplies to several African countries via commercial drone delivery. It comes months after the Trump administration cut much of the aid funding to those countries. Supplies to Africa As part of the America First Global Health Strategy, the department announced a new plan to expand access to medical supplies, such as blood and medicines, to as many as 15,000 health facili…
Zipline to Triple Its Life-Saving Drone Delivery Network with $150 Million from U.S. State Department, that will be More than Doubled by African Countries
Zipline to Triple Its Life-Saving Drone Delivery Network with $150 Million from U.S. State Department, that will be More than Doubled by African Countries
U.S. backs Zipline with $150M for drone delivery in Africa
Zipline operates on four continents and completes a delivery every 30 seconds. | Source: Zipline Zipline last week announced a partnership with the U.S. Department of State to expand its drone delivery service across Africa. Under a new pay-for-performance model, the State Department is providing Zipline with up to $150 million to expand its infrastructure, enabling African governments to provide delivery of essential medical supplies to hospita…
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