Zipline in Nigeria: Cross River State Partners for Medical Drone Delivery of Vaccines, Medicine, and Blood Supplies

Zipline has expanded service in Nigeria, partnering with Cross River State to distribute vaccines, medicines, and blood products to more than 1,000 facilities statewide.  This partnership is the second for Zipline in Nigeria, following a February agreement with Kaduna state.

Zipline has been a leader in medical drone delivery on the African continent, establishing the first nationwide network in Rwanda in 2016.  Since then, Zipline has delivered medical supplies around the world – often in areas where the lack of a robust road infrastructure leaves few viable alternatives to drone delivery.  In addition to providing healthcare logistics, Zipline centers create jobs in the communities in which they operate.

In Nigeria, the Cross River State partnership with Zipline will be the first step in bringing drone delivery of medical supplies to the region.   “Zipline plans to initially build two distribution centers to facilitate deliveries to more than 1,000 health facilities that serve millions of people across the state. These distribution centers will support the delivery of medical supplies 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” says a press release. “Construction of the first distribution center is expected to begin immediately and completed within six months from the start date.”

“….The partnership was made possible by the great foresight and collaboration of State Governor H.E. Benedict Ayade, Dr. Betta Edu, Honourable Commissioner for Health, and Dr. Janet Ekpenyong, the Director General of the Primary Healthcare Agency.”

“…Healthcare is one of our top priorities, and we are committed to creating a system in which no one is left behind,” said H.E. Ben Ayade. “Zipline is a key, innovative part of our investment in our health systems. Their delivery service will help us to remove access barriers to health care and help create a more equitable and efficient system across the state.”

“We are on a mission to transform health care systems around the world, and we’re thrilled to partner with Cross River State as they invest in innovation to improve the health of their people, ” said Daniel Marfo, Senior Vice President of Africa at Zipline. “Our partnership is not just about delivering medical supplies. We are working together to reimagine how health systems work, how to best deliver care to patients, and increase access for all people by designing a better system.”

In addition to deliveries of medication, vaccine supplies, and blood, Zipline will support all health facilities with emergency response capabilities.  For some facilities, Zipline will be the sole supplier, creating efficiencies in the system.