Zipline, a global leader in drone delivery and logistics, is significantly expanding its operations in Nigeria, bolstering the country’s healthcare infrastructure and eyeing a foray into the agricultural sector. This expansion comes as the Nigerian government prioritizes improvements in healthcare outcomes nationwide.
A new drone logistics distribution center, inaugurated in Bayelsa State, will serve health facilities and community delivery points across a vast 38,000-square-kilometer area of Southern Nigeria. The facility, officially opened by Nigeria’s Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, and Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, significantly extends Zipline’s reach within the state, now covering 73 of its 83 wards.
“From our current facilities in Cross River and Bayelsa, we can serve the bordering states of Akwa Ibom and Abia, and Delta and Rivers, respectively,” explains Akin Oyediran, Zipline’s Partnerships Executive in Nigeria. “By sharing flight capacity, the operating expense for the system is spread across more users, bringing it down for everyone.”
Zipline’s presence in Nigeria, which began in 2022, is part of a broader collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health. Through a Memorandum of Understanding signed last year, Zipline will support Nigeria’s health infrastructure, with ambitious projections to reduce zero-dose children by 50%, prevent 1.7 million disease cases, and save hundreds of thousands of lives in the coming years.
“This infrastructure will represent the world’s largest autonomous logistics system,” says Oyediran, “and will help deliver health and economic impact in Nigeria akin to other major historical infrastructure upgrades. The project is expected to enable access to high-quality, reliable healthcare for more than 60% of the country’s non-urban population, and unlock a myriad of health and societal benefits.”
Beyond Healthcare: Zipline’s Agricultural Ambitions
While Zipline’s impact on healthcare is undeniable, the company has its sights set on another critical sector: agriculture. Inspired by its success in Rwanda, where drones are used to deliver livestock vaccines and artificial insemination products, Zipline is exploring the potential for similar applications in Nigeria.
The company’s experience in Rwanda, where it partnered with the government to enhance both healthcare and animal care delivery, provides a compelling model. In 2022 alone, the Rwandan Ministry of Agriculture reportedly delivered over 500,000 doses of animal health vaccines and more than 8,000 units of swine semen to vets and farmers using Zipline’s drones.
This proven track record in agricultural logistics positions Zipline to make a significant contribution to Nigeria’s agricultural sector. By leveraging its drone technology, Zipline can potentially improve access to vital resources for farmers, enhance livestock health, and boost agricultural productivity. This expansion into agriculture marks a significant step for Zipline, demonstrating the versatility of its technology and its commitment to supporting development across multiple sectors in Nigeria.
