Rwanda is becoming one of first countries in the world to have full nationwide autonomous drone delivery coverage.

This follows the signing of an expansion agreement between the Rwandan government and autonomous drone service Zipline, which has been operational in the country since 2016.

In addition to deploying its latest-generation vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drones in Rwanda, the company will set up a R&D hub in the country.

According to Africa Business Communities, the new Platform 2 VTOL drones hover quietly at high altitudes while a smaller droid lowers packages with ‘dinner plate’ precision to homes and offices in dense urban areas such as Kigali.

As part of the agreement, Zipline is also building a long-range distribution hub in the Karongi District to supplement hubs in Muhanga and Kayonza. Located on the border with the DRC, the new hub will serve 2.9 million people in the Western Region.

In Rwanda, the drones have been responsible for delivering life-saving medical aid, including blood transfusions, to patients in need and have reportedly helped to halve the incidence of maternal mortality.

The new expansion deal is also expected to support about 350 local high-skilled jobs in robotics, flight operations and logistics.

10 February 2026
Image: Zipline