Zipline opens its first distribution center in Kaduna state, Nigeria, to start a drone delivery service. Zipline is a US-based logistics company that designs, manufactures, and operates the world’s most extensive automated delivery system. It aims to deliver critical and lifesaving products anywhere and at any time. It recently opened its first distribution center in Kaduna state, northwest Nigeria. This is the first of three centers in the region. The new center in Kaduna includes small airspace for the autonomous drones that will carry medicine, blood, and vaccines to transport medical supplies to doctors and hospitals.
The center will start operations towards the end of June, employ 25 people, and serve an 8,000 square mile area. Zipline signed contracts with Kaduna state to transport the government’s stock of medical products to hospitals on-demand for 500 health facilities. The drones will solve issues of banditry, insecurity, and instability when moving medical products with a military convoy. The two additional centers will be built by the first quarter of 2023 and will deliver to 95% of the country.
