The Authorities of Rwanda has signed a historic growth settlement with Zipline, a transfer that may see the nation turn into the primary on the earth to realize nationwide autonomous logistics protection.
This landmark deal, introduced in Kigali on 05 February 2026, marks the primary main milestone below a $150 million pay-for-performance award granted to Zipline by the U.S. Division of State.
Whereas Rwanda was already a pioneer as the primary nation to launch Zipline’s service in 2016, this new part will introduce Africa’s first city drone supply community and a devoted autonomous supply testing centre.
Consequently, the growth reinforces Rwanda’s place as a worldwide chief in robotics and synthetic intelligence, geared toward offering life-saving healthcare to tens of millions of residents.
A central element of this settlement is the introduction of Zipline’s “Platform 2” (P2), an city supply system designed for dense environments.
Rwanda would be the first nation in Africa to deploy this know-how, which permits for ultra-fast and exact deliveries in cities like Kigali, the place roughly 40% of the nation’s healthcare demand is presently concentrated.
Whereas the P2 system is already utilised in the USA to ship 100,000 retail and meals objects with “dinner plate accuracy,” its deployment within the nation focuses on streamlining important medical provide chains.
Talking on the partnership, Paula Ingabire, Minister of ICT and Innovation, famous that the 2 entities have labored collectively for years to harness know-how for the general public good.
“We’ve got witnessed the extraordinary influence of drone supply — saving time, saving cash, and saving lives,” she stated.
Minister Ingabire additional defined that the growth into city supply will carry these advantages to much more communities, whereas expressing gratitude to the U.S. Authorities for supporting the muse of Africa’s future in innovation.
Connecting distant areas and the DRC border
Along with city progress, Rwanda will set up a brand new long-range distribution centre within the Karongi District.
This third hub will complement present amenities in Muhanga and Kayonza, particularly extending the community’s attain to districts past the Nyungwe Forest and people bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Notably, the brand new hub is located on the border as an emblem of peace between the 2 nations.
Inside Rwanda, the Karongi facility is anticipated to serve roughly 200 well being posts and 60 main well being amenities, reaching greater than 2.9 million individuals.
Because of this nationwide scale-up, Zipline’s community will ultimately cowl over 11 million individuals and assist roughly 350 native jobs.
Pierre Kayitana, Nation Director for Zipline Rwanda, remarked that the addition of the Karongi hub and the upcoming Kigali service would create a “single, seamless system that serves all Rwandans equally.”
He emphasised that Rwanda has confirmed autonomous logistics to be extra dependable and fewer wasteful than conventional techniques.
A worldwide hub for robotics analysis
Past logistics, the settlement contains the institution of a brand new AI and robotics testing facility, which can function Zipline’s first abroad analysis and growth hub.
This facility is anticipated to play a crucial position in testing plane efficiency, new security techniques, and next-generation software program.
By growing native expertise and refining know-how in numerous climates, the centre ensures that innovation meant for the world can also be constructed by the world.
Caitlin Burton, CEO of Zipline Africa, described the transfer as a “world first,” attributing the success to Rwanda’s management and the U.S. Authorities’s backing.
“In 2016, Rwanda decided that modified well being entry without end. Rwanda didn’t ask whether or not it had been accomplished earlier than. It requested whether or not it may work and whether or not it may save lives,” Ms. Burton stated.
She added that this management is why Zipline is now investing past its contract into analysis and high-skill jobs inside the nation.
To this point, the community has already contributed to a 51% discount in maternal deaths by offering on-demand entry to blood and vaccines.
All operational knowledge will proceed to combine into Rwanda’s nationwide well being techniques, supporting the Africa CDC’s imaginative and prescient for equitable, technology-driven emergency responses.
