The U.S. Department of State has awarded $150 million to Zipline, the world’s largest autonomous logistics system, to expand its AI-powered drone delivery network across Africa—a landmark investment that redefines how foreign aid can drive innovation, sustainability, and equitable health access. This Zipline U.S. State Department Africa deal introduces a groundbreaking pay-for-performance model, where funds are released only after African governments sign expansion contracts and commit to long-term operational funding—ensuring the service becomes a permanent, self-sustaining component of national public health systems.
Unlike traditional aid models that risk dependency or short-term impact, this initiative prioritizes accountability, scalability, and local ownership. Zipline already operates within government health systems in multiple African countries, and this award will enable it to scale from regional pilots to nationwide coverage—delivering life-saving blood, vaccines, medicines, and diagnostics on demand, even in the most remote areas.
At full scale, the expanded network will serve over 130 million people, tripling the number of health facilities served to 15,000 and dramatically improving treatment rates for maternal complications, malaria, malnutrition, and vaccine-preventable diseases. By reducing stockouts, cutting transport times from days to minutes, and minimizing waste, Zipline’s infrastructure doesn’t just deliver supplies—it strengthens entire health systems.
The impact extends beyond medicine. The expansion is expected to create more than 800 high-skilled jobs across Africa in robotics, AI engineering, logistics, and health operations. It could also unlock up to $1 billion in annual economic gains by resolving logistical bottlenecks that stifle commerce and credit access in underserved regions.
Since launching in Rwanda in 2016, Zipline has flown over 120 million autonomous miles and completed more than 1.7 million deliveries—all without a single safety incident. Its proven track record includes reducing maternal mortality by up to 56%, cutting missed severe malaria treatments by 66%, and slashing zero-dose vaccination rates by 42% in one year. These results have made Zipline one of the most cost-effective public health interventions ever studied.
Rwanda will be the first country to benefit from the new award, with plans to build a third distribution center, double daily deliveries, launch urban drone services using Zipline’s new short-range precision drones, and establish a flagship testing facility for global hardware and software development. Expansions are also underway in Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, and Nigeria—with each government investing alongside the U.S. to ensure long-term viability.
“This partnership is a prime example of the innovative, results-driven collaborations at the heart of America’s foreign assistance agenda,” said Jeremy Lewin, Under Secretary of State for Foreign Assistance, Humanitarian Affairs, and Religious Freedom. “With modest U.S. investment, these five countries will take responsibility for maintaining and growing a transformative American-built supply chain—catalyzing private capital, incentivizing local buy-in, and helping America lead in tomorrow’s technologies.”
Keller Rinaudo Cliffton, CEO and Co-Founder of Zipline, emphasized the mission: “We started Zipline to create a logistics system that serves all people equally. Today, the U.S. government is investing in our mission, using our AI, robotics, and autonomous logistics system to improve health outcomes.” He added, “African leaders have told me they want America’s best—innovation, jobs, and 21st-century technology. Today, that vision is becoming reality.”
Caitlin Burton, CEO of Zipline Africa, called the deal a turning point: “This award marks a shift in foreign aid—the U.S. is backing Africa’s own vision, building the infrastructure Africa wants, and accelerating proven American innovation. It will change the future of human health and development on the continent.”
African leaders welcomed the support. Rwanda’s Minister of ICT and Innovation, Paula Ingabire, praised the expansion into urban communities, saying, “We’ve seen how drone delivery saves time, money, and lives. Now we’re building the foundation for Africa’s future in healthcare and innovation.”
Nigeria’s Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, highlighted the potential for equity: “Zipline has shown how drone delivery can eliminate stockouts and extend care to places with no clinics. We’re working toward a sustainable partnership that advances a healthier, more equitable future.”
In Côte d’Ivoire, Health Minister Pierre Dimba underscored sovereignty: “This approach aligns with our vision of a modern, resilient health system. With U.S. support, we’re not just receiving aid—we’re building an Ivorian model of excellence in health innovation.”
The Zipline U.S. State Department Africa deal is more than a contract. It’s a blueprint: showing that when innovation meets accountability, and when donor and recipient co-invest in scalable solutions, transformation isn’t just possible—it’s sustainable.
And as drones rise over African skies carrying hope in their payloads, one truth becomes clear: the future of global health isn’t just digital.
It’s delivered
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