On June 8, 2026, Rwanda’s Cabinet approved leasing four hectares of state land in Karongi District to Zipline Rwanda, enabling the drone‑delivery company to build a new hub that will extend its reach across the country.
This expansion follows Rwanda’s February 2026 signing of a global agreement to scale Zipline’s operations, backed by a $150 million investment from the U.S. Zipline already operates drone bases in Muhanga and Kayonza, delivering over 600 packages daily from blood supplies to more than 200 types of medicines.
The new Karongi hub, costing $2 million (≈3 billion RWF), will employ 45 staff and operate 35 drones serving 200 health centers and 60 hospitals, reaching 2.8 million people. It will complement Zipline’s existing workforce of over 250 employees and expand national coverage to all 14+ million Rwandans, creating 350 jobs in total.
Zipline’s next phase includes introducing advanced Platform 2 (P2) drones, capable of urban deliveries without returning to base, starting in Kigali before expanding nationwide. Globally, Zipline drones already serve 5,000 health facilities, flying over 193 million kilometers, and the new expansion aims to reach 130 million people in Africa and 15,000 hospitals worldwide.
Rwanda continues to position itself as a leader in drone technology and innovation, ensuring faster, more reliable access to medical supplies and consumer goods while strengthening its role in Africa’s digital transformation.
