Zipline in Ghana: How Drones Are Saving Lives
Zipline, a California-based logistics company, is changing the way healthcare works in Ghana. Since launching operations in 2019, Zipline has become a key player in the country’s public health system by using drones to deliver critical medical supplies to remote and underserved areas.
What Is Zipline?
Zipline is a drone delivery company that specializes in transporting medical products quickly and efficiently. Using fixed-wing drones, it delivers items like:
Blood products
Vaccines (including COVID-19 vaccines)
Antivenoms
Essential medications
Medical supplies for routine and emergency care
Each drone can carry up to 1.8 kg of cargo and fly over 160 km round trip, even in tough weather or terrain.
How Zipline Works in Ghana
Zipline operates from strategically placed distribution centers across Ghana, including locations in:
Omenako (Eastern Region)
Mampong (Ashanti Region)
Vobsi (North East Region)
Sefwi Wiawso (Western North Region)
Kete Krachi (Oti Region)
Hospitals and clinics place orders via phone, WhatsApp, or an app. Zipline staff prepare the package, load it into a drone, and launch it. The drone flies autonomously and drops the package by parachute at a designated drop zone within 30-45 minutes.
Impact on Healthcare
Zipline’s drone service is especially critical for hard-to-reach areas. Before Zipline, transporting blood or vaccines could take hours or days. Now, lifesaving supplies arrive within minutes. Benefits include:
Faster emergency response
Reduced vaccine spoilage
Improved healthcare access in rural areas
Enhanced disease outbreak response (e.g., COVID-19, yellow fever)
Zipline has made millions of deliveries and helped strengthen Ghana’s reputation as a leader in tech-enabled public health.
Partnerships and Recognition
Zipline works in close partnership with Ghana’s Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service. It’s also backed by global organizations like Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the UPS Foundation.
Their model in Ghana has been recognized globally and replicated in countries like Rwanda, Nigeria, Kenya, and Côte d’Ivoire.
Why Zipline in Ghana Matters
Zipline isn’t just a tech company—it’s part of a system that saves lives. By cutting delivery times, reducing medical waste, and reaching remote areas, it’s helping build a more equitable and efficient healthcare system
