Rwanda continues to set the pace for the world in autonomous delivery systems, particularly in healthcare logistics and resilient supply chains. The country has become the first in the world to build a nationwide autonomous delivery network in partnership with Zipline, a U.S. drone logistics company, expanding from rural medical deliveries to integrated national coverage that now includes urban areas and an AI/robotics testing hub.
Rwanda pioneered drone delivery of essential medical supplies in Africa when it partnered with Zipline in 2016 to deliver blood, vaccines, and emergency medicines to remote clinics, drastically cutting delivery times from hours to minutes and improving health outcomes. These autonomous drones now deliver a large portion of the country’s blood supply and are central to resilient healthcare logistics that respond swiftly to demand, even in hard-to-reach areas.
The impact of this system is being recognized beyond Rwanda’s borders. The U.S. Department of State awarded Zipline up to $150 million under a performance-based model to expand autonomous delivery services across Africa, with Rwanda expected to be a primary hub. The expansion could help provide rapid access to lifesaving supplies for millions of people and is part of a broader effort to strengthen health system responsiveness, emergency preparedness, and equitable access to care.
These innovations showcase how autonomous logistics technologies can build more resilient systems capable of adapting to growing demand, economic constraints, climate pressures, and strained health infrastructure—challenges shared by countries worldwide. Rwanda’s model is now looked to as both a proof of concept and practical blueprint for scaling autonomous delivery to improve service reach, reduce waste, and save lives.
