This archive report was first published on 7 October 2021.
On October 7, 2021, the Postal Corporation of Kenya (PCK) signed a three-year agreement with Swift Lab Limited to launch drone-based last mile delivery services nationwide.
The partnership aims to improve the delivery of essential medical supplies and other goods by eliminating middlemen and reducing costs.
Under the agreement, Swift Lab Limited will manufacture and operate drones capable of traveling up to 70km and carrying a payload of up to 4kg.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Dan Kagwe, the CEO and Postmaster General of PCK, emphasized the importance of investing in Kenyan technology and regaining the market position as the courier and logistics services provider of choice.
Swift Lab Limited will provide technical expertise in the drones' design, manufacturing, maintenance, software integrations, and regulatory approvals, with the option to adjust the travel distance to up to 200km or more as needed.
James Munyoki, the CEO and Co-Founder of Swift Lab Limited, highlighted the company's remote aircraft operations certificate (ROC) from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, making it the only approved drone manufacturer and one of a few approved to operate drones in the country.
The partnership aims to support the manufacturing pillar of the Government's Big 4 Agenda and open up the hinterlands of Kenya, making healthcare accessible in areas that cannot be reached via road due to extreme weather conditions.
The drones manufactured by Swift Lab Limited have vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability, eliminating the need for runways or expensive infrastructure.
The two organizations will jointly mobilize resources for manufacturing the drones, with PCK providing its facilities and infrastructure across the country as operation bases for drone delivery services.
