Rwanda’s Zipline launches in Ghana

Zipline, a robotic firm that originated in the United States and launched a successful medical drone delivery service in Rwanda in 2014, is now expanding its operations to Ghana. The company, which aims to provide fast and reliable access to essential medical products, is set to officially launch its first distribution center in Ghana today. Israel Bumpay, the Head of National Implementation for Zipline, joined CNBC Africa to discuss the company's progress and plans going forward. Since its launch in Rwanda, Zipline has made significant strides in the country's healthcare sector. From delivering blood to expanding its services to include medical products and vaccines, Zipline has truly made a mark in Rwanda's medical supply chain. The company now delivers to 25 health facilities and has completed over 13,000 deliveries in Rwanda. In January, Zipline opened its second distribution center in Kayaonza, showcasing its continued growth and impact in the region. The decision to expand to Ghana stems from the country's similar goals and aspirations to Rwanda. Ghana's commitment to ensuring fast and reliable access to medical products aligns perfectly with Zipline's mission. With plans to establish four distribution centers and serve over 2,000 health facilities in Ghana, Zipline is gearing up for its largest operations yet. The move to Ghana signifies a significant step for the company, as it aims to replicate its success in Rwanda on a larger scale. While Ghana presents its own set of challenges, including infrastructure issues, Zipline is well-prepared to tackle them and provide efficient drone delivery services to meet the country's healthcare needs. Laying the groundwork for its expansion into Ghana, Zipline has been learning valuable lessons from its operations in Rwanda. New staff in Ghana undergo training in Rwanda, where they gain insights and expertise from the company's experiences in the region. Rwanda serves as the incubation hub for Zipline, where it refines its operations and strategies before implementing them on a larger scale in new markets like Ghana. Looking ahead, Zipline is set to introduce medical products and vaccines delivery services in addition to blood delivery. The company also has plans to expand to more countries beyond Rwanda and Ghana. As Zipline looks to the future, its focus remains on revolutionizing the drone industry and transforming healthcare supply chains worldwide. With ambitions to launch in the United States by summer this year and explore opportunities in various countries globally, Zipline is poised for continued growth and impact. Despite potential competition entering the space, Zipline's unique approach, which involves custom manufacturing drones tailored to its operations, gives the company a distinct advantage. This hands-on approach to drone production sets Zipline apart from its competitors and positions it as a leader in the medical drone delivery industry. Zipline welcomes competition as it believes it will drive innovation and progress in the drone technology sector. With a solid foundation built on years of experience and success, Zipline is prepared to navigate the evolving landscape of drone delivery services and maintain its position at the forefront of the industry.