23 April 2025
In the wake of ongoing disruptions to USAID’s supply chain, the Government of Ghana has partnered with Zipline, the world’s largest autonomous logistics system, to ensure uninterrupted access to essential health commodities, without adding a cedi to government spending. By leveraging Zipline’s existing network of autonomous drone delivery hubs, the government is reaching more patients than ever before while eliminating duplicative expenses long incurred by USAID.
In response to the recent stop-work order and the extended review of all USAID-funded programs, Ghanaian health authorities have swiftly prioritised the delivery of critical medical supplies through Zipline’s on-demand system. This includes a specific focus on malaria testing and treatment, which is critical amid growing concerns about the impact of climate change, including excessive rainfall and changes in weather patterns, which exacerbate the spread of malaria. Additionally included are medications for pain relief, cough, parasitic worms, and nutritional deficiencies. Each Zipline distribution hub is capable of hundreds of autonomous drone flights per day, providing the government with ample flexibility to absorb and deliver supplies currently sitting in warehouses across the country.
Zipline is supporting the delivery of these commodities across the Northeast, Northern, and Eastern Regions, with discussions underway to expand support to other parts of the country. Its rapid response to emerging needs across the health system enabled Zipline to scale deliveries at its various hubs by 20–50% in the last two months alone. Rather than navigating complex supply planning or rerouting, Regional Medical Stores centralised more products with Zipline, allowing on-demand deliveries to any patient, anywhere. By leveraging this flexible capacity, the government has significantly increased distribution volumes at no additional cost, while enabling system-wide savings by eliminating redundant logistics.
Commenting on the partnership, Comfort Addai Fofie, staff midwife, Jadema Health Centre, Northeast Region, remarked, “Zipline's support in delivering essential medical supplies, including their recent delivery of some much-needed drugs to our facility, has been incredibly helpful in enabling us to discharge our duties effectively. Their timely deliveries and excellent collaboration have made a significant impact on our work. We're truly grateful to the team for their continued efforts, they mean a lot to us in our line of duty".
Daniel Kwaku Merki, Head of Zipline Ghana, said, “Ghana’s proactive approach to mobilising domestic resources and embracing innovative delivery solutions exemplifies its commitment to building a robust health system. This continued collaboration with Zipline is a clear example of how Ghana is transforming a challenging situation into an opportunity to build a more self-reliant and cost-effective health system – one that ensures critical care reaches every corner of the nation.”
By consolidating deliveries under Zipline’s existing partnership, which the government funds through a flat monthly fee for unlimited deliveries, Ghana can maximise its healthcare investments and ensure medical products reach communities more efficiently. This unified approach strengthens the nation’s health infrastructure, reinforces the Mahama Administration’s vision for economic growth and development, and ultimately delivers greater value for Ghanaian taxpayers.