A US medical drone delivery company, Zipline International Inc., is in discussions with the Nigerian government to expand its services across the nation, capitalizing on opportunities created by a freeze in US aid to Africa, Bloomberg reports.
The proposed expansion aims to bolster Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure, ensuring “accessibility and prompt delivery of essential medical goods such as blood, vaccines, and medicines,” according to Eniitan Tejuoso, an adviser to President Bola Tinubu on healthcare system upgrades.
The move comes as Nigeria grapples with the impact of US President Donald Trump’s decision to freeze aid to Africa upon returning to the White House in January. This freeze has cut off vital support, totaling $13.4 billion in 2024, impacting healthcare programs and leaving millions without access to essential medication.
Nigeria, which received $790 million in aid from the US last year, has responded by allocating $200 million in its 2025 budget to offset the shortfall. The government has also launched programs targeting the provision of medication to 10 million people suffering from HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria.
Zipline, which already operates in three of Nigeria’s 36 states, is actively seeking to broaden its national presence. The San Francisco-based company is collaborating with partners to establish a distribution hub and training facility in Cross River State, where it already has a presence, to extend its services to a wider area. While the value of the contracts under discussion remains undisclosed, the expansion signifies a significant opportunity for Zipline in Africa’s most populous nation.
Zipline, founded in 2014, already operates in several African countries, including Rwanda, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Kenya. The company is also reportedly in talks to expand its services to two additional African nations.
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