Zipline Ghana is to open a seventh drone distribution centre in the coastal zone to expand nationwide reach and enhance last-mile delivery of medicines, vaccines, blood products, and laboratory samples. 

The move reinforces Zipline’s commitment to equitable healthcare and logistics for underserved communities, making Ghana the first country globally to operate seven Zipline hubs in drone-enabled health logistics. 

Speaking to journalists following a tour of the sixth distribution centre in Anum, Head of Zipline Ghana, Daniel Kwaku Merki, said the expansion aligns with efforts to build an inclusive and resilient health system. 

“This upcoming centre is not just about adding infrastructure, it is about deepening impact. We want to reach the unreached and ensure that no health facility, regardless of location, is left behind,” he stated. 

Mr. Merki called for stronger collaboration across public institutions, the private sector, and development partners to maximise drone technology’s impact. 

“Our collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service has proven that innovation, when integrated into national systems, can transform healthcare outcomes,” he said. 

“But the need goes beyond health. We can support agriculture, disaster response, environmental monitoring, and more,” he added. 

Zipline has delivered 8.4 million medical products to 3,000 health facilities in 14 regions since 2019.  

In partnership with Gavi and the UPS Foundation, it delivered over 3.4 million COVID-19 vaccine doses, including hundreds of thousands of mRNA shots. 

Research shows Zipline disproportionately served vulnerable populations, with rural and remote districts receiving 30 per cent more vaccines during the pandemic. 

“Since 2022, 9,698 people who were in critical condition and would have died without Zipline’s support have survived. 75 per cent of these cases occurred in Northern Ghana. More than 1,600 were snakebite injuries,” Mr. Merki said. 

As drone logistics expands into other sectors, Zipline advocates for policy frameworks that support cross-sector collaboration, integrated data systems, and sustainable funding. 

The company is exploring agricultural partnerships to deliver farm inputs, veterinary products, and digital advisory services aimed at improving rural productivity and food security. 

Once operational, the seventh distribution centre is expected to generate local employment, strengthen emergency response, and advance Ghana’s leadership in technology-driven public service delivery.