Zipline, a drone logistics company headquartered in the United States and backed by Sequoia Capital and Goldman Sachs, announced on Friday that it will expand its operations in Nigeria by establishing drone logistics in five additional states by the end of 2025.
After signing a memorandum of understanding with the Nigerian government in September 2024, Zipline used its drone infrastructure to deliver essential medical supplies to remote and underserved areas.
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Zipline debuted in Kaduna, Nigeria, in 2022 and has expanded to Bayelsa and Cross River states. The firm has improved healthcare access by delivering over one million vaccination doses and 71,000 essential medicine units in Bayelsa. Also that year, Zipline and Jumia delivered daily-use items across Nigeria.
Zipline’s drones aim to streamline Nigeria’s drug delivery
Zipline’s expansion aims to address Nigeria’s healthcare supply chain challenges, including poor drug storage, bad roads, and widespread counterfeit drugs.
The company operates drone deployment stations, known as “nests,” which can handle up to 300 drone flights daily, delivering vaccines, anti-malaria drugs, nutritional medicine, and just-in-time medical supplies.
Akin Oyediran, Zipline Nigeria’s country manager and partnership lead, noted, “We’re going to start delivering blood and other medical equipment to riverine areas where people lack access to quality healthcare”.
Zipline’s drones can deliver medical supplies in as little as 30 minutes to areas where traditional healthcare personnel might take up to 14 hours to reach.
This efficiency is particularly important in regions like the South-South, where riverine communities rely on motorcycles, bicycles, boats, or even foot travel for medical supplies.
In Bayelsa, Zipline’s drone logistics distribution centre serves health facilities and community delivery sites within a 38,000-square-kilometer area, reaching 73 out of the state’s 83 wards.
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Zipline expanding beyond healthcare
In addition to its health initiatives, Zipline is exploring ways to extend its reach into Nigeria’s agriculture sector. The company’s success in Rwanda, where drones have been used to deliver livestock vaccines and artificial insemination products, provides a model that Zipline hopes to replicate in Nigeria.
Akin Oyediran explained that Zipline is considering expanding agricultural supply deliveries to support farmers and a potential entry into e-commerce logistics in Nigeria. This diversification aligns with Zipline’s mission to make drone delivery possible for everyone.
Zipline’s operations in Nigeria are part of its broader presence in Africa, where it has been instrumental in delivering medical supplies to countries like Rwanda and Ghana.
The company’s ability to transport supplies within 15 to 45 minutes, bypassing bad roads and harsh weather conditions, ensures timely access to critical supplies. With its On-Demand Services, healthcare facilities can order supplies on demand, reducing stockouts and wastage.