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Zipline, the California-based autonomous drone delivery company, announced plans to build 12 additional distribution centers across Nigeria, expanding from three operational hubs to 15 facilities nationwide. Anthonio Pinheiro, Zipline's Nigeria Country Director, disclosed the expansion plan in a virtual interview with TechCabal on Wednesday. The expansion is designed to connect up to 20,000 health facilities and provide access to healthcare commodities for nearly 100 million Nigerians by 2028. The company launched operations in Nigeria in 2022, initially focusing on delivering vaccines and medical supplies across underserved states. Nigeria's chronic last-mile delivery gaps and unreliable medical supply chains have created demand for faster access to medicines, vaccines, and essential medical supplies across tens of thousands of health facilities, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach communities.
Expansion Details
Zipline currently operates three hubs in Kaduna, Cross River, and Bayelsa states, serving over 1,300 health facilities and approximately six million people. "The vision is to build an additional 12 distribution centres, which would serve up to 20,000 facilities and give access to 100 million people," Pinheiro said. The company's expansion strategy reflects a shift from state-by-state partnerships to a federal-scale framework that would allow states to integrate into a national autonomous delivery network. The transition is supported by a partnership involving Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Health and the U.S. government, which backed Zipline's African expansion through a grant initiative covering five African countries. Nigeria has become one of Zipline's largest operations on the continent.
Healthcare Supply Chain Model
Zipline's operations address unreliable medical supply chains that have affected Nigeria's healthcare system. The company operates through a network of automated distribution hubs, cold storage facilities, and AI-powered inventory tracking systems. Instead of requiring hospitals to maintain costly storage facilities and large medical inventories, Zipline manages supplies centrally and delivers medicines and health commodities on demand. "If a hospital requests 20 vaccine doses and 25 patients show up, they can call us, and we can deliver the additional five within 30 to 45 minutes," Pinheiro explained. A 2026 study on family planning services found that 56.8% of rural health facilities experienced at least one contraceptive stockout within three months, compared to 43.2% of urban health centers.
Reported Healthcare Impact
According to Zipline, vaccine stockouts in supported areas have fallen significantly. The company reported that maternal mortality rates in supported facilities have dropped by more than 50% due partly to faster blood deliveries. Pinheiro cited reductions in severe anemia among children and improvements in vaccination access through partnerships with organizations including Gavi and the Elton John AIDS Foundation. One case involved an emergency snakebite where anti-venom was delivered to a remote hospital within 47 minutes after an urgent request. "These are people who otherwise may not have survived," Pinheiro said.
Solar-Powered Infrastructure
Zipline's facilities in Kaduna and Cross River are fully solar-powered, supported by backup energy redundancy systems. The company operates largely outside Nigeria's unreliable electricity grid. "We end up being more affordable because of the operational efficiencies we create," Pinheiro said. "States reduce storage costs, reduce transportation costs and get much more visibility into healthcare utilisation." By partnering with renewable energy providers, Zipline eliminated the need for tens of thousands of liters of diesel consumption monthly at some sites. The infrastructure serves surrounding communities and healthcare centers.
Regulatory Environment
As of May 2026, all drone operators in Nigeria must obtain an End-User Certificate (EUC) from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) before approaching the Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for a permit. Pinheiro said Nigeria's regulatory posture has become increasingly collaborative. "I see those policies as issues of national security," he said. "The government wants to protect Nigeria's airspace, and rightly so." Zipline works with aviation and government regulators to secure approvals, define operational corridors, and ensure compliance with airspace restrictions. Pinheiro noted that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed how underserved remote communities remained despite urban healthcare improvements in Lagos and Abuja.
FAQ
How many health facilities does Zipline currently serve in Nigeria?
Zipline serves over 1,300 health facilities across three states: Kaduna, Cross River, and Bayelsa, reaching approximately six million people.
What is Zipline's expansion target for Nigeria?
The company plans to build 12 additional distribution centers to expand from three to 15 facilities nationwide, aiming to serve up to 20,000 health facilities and provide access to 100 million Nigerians by 2028.
How does Zipline power its operations in Nigeria?
Zipline's facilities in Kaduna and Cross River are fully solar-powered with backup energy redundancy systems, operating outside Nigeria's unreliable electricity grid and eliminating the need for tens of thousands of liters of diesel consumption monthly at some sites.
