The US backs Zipline with $150M to expand drone deliveries in Africa

On Techpoint Digest, we discuss the US backing Zipline with $150M, Kenya’s dedicated unit to regulate eCommerce, and Canva planting its flag in Africa.

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Victoria from Techpoint here,

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The US backs Zipline with $150M

Kenya plans a dedicated unit to regulate eCommerce

Canva plants its flag in Africa, with new Joburg office in SA

The US backs Zipline with $150M to expand drone deliveries in Africa

Zipline just landed one of its biggest endorsements yet — a new agreement with the US Department of State that will massively scale its drone-powered medical delivery network across Africa. If everything goes to plan, Zipline could expand from serving 5,000 hospitals to 15,000 and reach up to 130 million people with instant access to blood, vaccines, and medicines. In return, the State Department is offering up to $150 million under a pay-for-performance arrangement, while African governments are expected to put up to $400 million to actually use the service.

Why does this matter? Because healthcare logistics remains one of the biggest pain points across the continent, including delays, stockouts, and slow deliveries, which cost lives. Zipline says its autonomous delivery system has completed 1.8 million deliveries with zero safety incidents since 2016, cutting maternal deaths by up to 56% in supported facilities and reducing medicine stockouts by 60%. 

This deal also marks a shift in how US foreign assistance is being structured. Instead of traditional grants, the State Department is backing a model that rewards outcomes and leans on private-sector innovation. US officials call it a win-win, showcasing American robotics and AI while supporting African governments that have already been paying for Zipline’s services for years. Rwanda is expected to be the first to sign under the new model, with Nigeria and others already in discussions.

Still, the partnership isn’t without questions. Relying heavily on a US company for essential health logistics raises concerns about long-term affordability, vendor lock-in, and what happens if political priorities shift. However, Zipline’s hubs are fully staffed by local wo...