The U.S. Department of State has approved a $150 million award to Zipline, the world’s largest autonomous logistics company, to support the expansion of its life-saving artificial intelligence-powered drone delivery infrastructure across Africa.
In a statement, the company disclosed that the initiative marks the State Department’s first results-based financing partnership and is designed to scale proven, life-saving technology while ensuring long-term sustainability.
“Under the agreement, funds will be released only when African governments sign expansion contracts and commit to covering their operational costs. All participating countries already use Zipline on a regional scale; the award will help them expand nationwide,” it said.
At full implementation, Zipline’s expanded network is expected to reach more than 130 million Africans with on-demand delivery of blood, vaccines, medicines, lab samples, and other essential supplies.
The expansion will triple the number of health facilities served to 15,000 and generate over 800 high-skilled jobs in engineering, AI, health systems, and logistics. Zipline projects that streamline supply chains could unlock up to $1 billion in annual economic gains by easing longstanding transport and credit bottlenecks that limit commerce.
U.S. officials say the partnership reflects a new model of foreign aid that rewards innovation and local participation. “With modest U.S. capital investment support, these five countries will become responsible for maintaining and continuing to invest in a transformative American-built supply chain network,” said Under Secretary of State for Foreign Assistance, Humanitarian Affairs, and Religious Freedom Jeremy Lewin.
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He described the deal as central to President Trump’s “America First” foreign assistance agenda, which seeks to catalyze private capital while expanding American technological leadership abroad.
Zipline, which has operated in Africa since 2016, has delivered to more than 5,000 health facilities and completed over 1.7 million autonomous deliveries with zero safety incidents. Its services have been linked to sharp reductions in maternal deaths, zero-dose prevalence, and missed malaria treatments. CEO Keller Rinaudo Cliffton said the U.S. government’s support demonstrates confidence in Zipline’s ability to “serve all people equally” through AI and robotics.
Rwanda is expected to be the first country to expand under this new award, building a third distribution center and doubling daily deliveries, expanding to urban communities with Zipline’s new short-range precision delivery drone, and building a first-of-its-kind flagship testing facility that hosts Zipline’s global hardware and software product testing. Additional Zipline expansions are expected in additional countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, and Nigeria.
“We started Zipline to build a logistics system that serves all people equally. Today, the U.S. government is doubling down on our work and using our AI, robotics, and autonomous logistics system to improve health outcomes,” said Keller Rinaudo Cliffton, CEO and co-founder of Zipline
African leaders welcomed the initiative as a major boost to national health systems and regional innovation. Côte d’Ivoire’s health minister, Pierre Dimba, said the expansion aligns with his country’s drive for “a modern, resilient health system,” while Rwanda’s minister, Paula Ingabire, said drone delivery has proven to “save time, save money, and save lives.”
“African governments are choosing to invest their own resources in Zipline because it works, and it’s incredible value for money. It solves intractable global health challenges like maternal mortality, malnutrition, and under 5 mortality,” said Caitlin Burton, CEO of Zipline Africa.
“This award marks a pivotal moment in foreign aid — the U.S. government is backing Africa’s vision, building the infrastructure Africa wants, and accelerating the adoption of American innovation that’s proven to work and recognized as one of the most cost-effective public health interventions ever studied. It will forever change the trajectory of human health and development in Africa.”
