On October 14, 2016 Zipline, a U.S. based technology company specializing in unmanned aircraft to solve last-mile logistic challenges in healthcare launched its operations in Rwanda.
It was the very first time in the world for a drone to deliver blood and this happened in Shyogwe, a suburb of Muhanga, a satellite city in the southern province, 49 kilometers drive from the capital Kigali.
The drone, just 21 kilogram when loaded has since saved thousands of lives of patients through delivery of blood in over 600 health facilities across the country.
In a visit to the Muhanga Zipline drone port, every guest is shocked with the technology where young men and women in their early twenties work together to save lives in a blink of the eyes.
How it all starts?
The process of blood delivery starts from a request of a health facility placing an order via a phone call, an email or just a WhatsAp text or SMS and the client will have the blood delivered within 45 minutes.
“When we receive an order, we process it through an online system called ‘Fulfillment Software,’ designed by Zipline. After that, we begin packing, which takes around 5 minutes, and then launch the drones, which deliver the products anywhere in the country within 45 minutes,” explains Prosper Uruvugundi, the Sales and Partnership Manager at Zipline Muhanga.

The drones are able to connect to a health facility at 210 kilometers from their port.
Meanwhile, the first drone port of Muhanga serves the Northern, part of the Western and the Southern Province respectively. However, Zipline expanded to include a second drone port in Kayonza, Eastern province, to serve the East of Rwanda.
The company which initially partnered with the National Centre for Blood Transfusion has also grown to include other deliveries.
Zipline is now partnering with Rwanda Medical Supply for emergency medicine and vaccine deliveries.
They also work with the National Child Development Agency (NCDA) for Child fortified food deliveries.
In this expansion, Zipline also works with Rwanda Agricultural and Animal Resource Development Board (RAB), for the delivery of agricultural and veterinary products.
For example, in the latter, Zipline supplies pig semen, lab reagents among others.

“I’m happy to say that we send a drone for delivery every 65 seconds,” Uruvugundi said.
In the past, farmers could wait for quiet a long time to get semen deliveries, a process that was costly. In several instances, the transportation methods also led to the destruction of the semen before they reached the farmers.
Uruvugundi explained that Zipline’s activities have had a significant impact on the local community, particularly in addressing health challenges by delivering blood and other essential products. He noted that the local population understands and appreciates Zipline’s mission.
“Additionally, Zipline provides jobs, especially for youth and women, creating opportunities for young people, students, and others to gain experience and learn,” he said.

Zipline contributed to a significant reduction in maternal mortality in Rwanda, with a 51% decrease, according to research conducted by the University of Wharton in partnership with the Rwanda Biomedical Center.
Expanding wings
Following successful operations in Rwanda, Zipline has now expanded wings in other African countries and overseas in Asia while also strengthening its American base.
Currently, the company is doing business in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Ivory Coast and Japan.
“Last year, we have made more than one million deliveries,” Uruvugundi said.
For example, in Ghana, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Zipline delivered more than 15 million vaccine doses. In Nigeria, Zipline is supporting the states of Kaduna, Cross River, and Bayelsa by providing zero-dose vaccinations, reaching over 12 million people.
Like any company, Uruvugundi said, Zipline has faced challenges but always learns from them and continuously improves.
“We’ve encountered weather challenges, as the drones were manufactured in the USA and were initially not suited to Rwanda’s climate. However, as a company, we focused on improving the reliability of our systems. Now, we are able to fly in any weather condition, and weather is no longer a concern for us,” he explained.

The official explained that one of the great features of their drones is that they cannot stop in the middle of the flight. He said that they have a hybrid technology which allows the machine to proceed uninterruptedly if ever one part faces malfunction issues.
Uruvugundi said that when they started business in Rwanda, there was little or no interest in flying drones, but they have now changed the status quo.
Currently, more people are eager to get involved. He expressed confidence that, in the coming years, Rwanda will have a large number of skilled drone operators in the country.
To other companies looking to start drone delivery services in Rwanda, Uruvugundi emphasized that drones are a game changer, revolutionizing logistics.
“Imagine a day when you’re at home and a drone delivers anything you need right to your doorstep,” he said.
In Rwanda Zipline employed over 170 full-time people, 43% of whom female. Moreover, its delivery system has saved more than 750,000 gallons of fuel compared to making the same deliveries with cars.



