Côte d’Ivoire has approved a public-private partnership with Zipline SARL to build and operate 10 storage and distribution centers for medical supplies, including strategic health products and blood supplies, with deliveries carried out by drones.

The agreement, approved by the Council of Ministers on September 9, 2026, is intended to improve the availability and distribution of essential medical products, particularly in areas where road access can make deliveries difficult or slow.

The project will be implemented in two phases. The first phase will cover four centers in Daloa, Biankouma, San Pedro and Kouto. Six additional centers are planned in the Abidjan Autonomous District, Indénié-Djuablin, Gbêkê, Kabadougou, Bélier and Gontougo.

The initiative builds on a pilot program launched in Daloa in 2022, when Côte d’Ivoire began using Zipline’s drone delivery technology to transport medicines, vaccines and blood products to health facilities.

The government said the partnership is aimed at strengthening the medical supply chain and reducing delivery times, particularly for health facilities in remote or difficult-to-reach areas.

The project is supported by a grant from the U.S. government for the development of the infrastructure, while the Ivorian state will finance the services required to operate the system.

By expanding drone-based medical deliveries beyond the initial pilot, Côte d’Ivoire is seeking to use technology to address logistical challenges in its healthcare system and improve access to essential medical products across the country.