U.S. Commits USD 150 M To Zipline To Scale Life-Saving Drone Deliveries Across Africa

The U.S. government has committed USD 150 M to Zipline to accelerate the rollout of its autonomous drone delivery network across Africa, marking the State Department’s first pay-for-performance investment of this scale. The funding will only be unlocked when participating African governments sign expansion contracts, ensuring long-term ownership and sustainability.

The move will enable Zipline to triple its footprint to 15,000 health facilities and reach more than 130 million people, driving faster access to blood, vaccines, and essential medicines—services credited with cutting maternal deaths by up to 56% in some regions. The expansion is expected to create 800 skilled jobs and generate up to USD 1 B annually in economic gains.

Rwanda will be the first to scale under the new model, with further expansions expected in Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, and Nigeria. The deal signals a shift toward results-driven foreign aid and deeper U.S. backing for African-led health innovation.