Tuberculosis has a last-mile delivery problem in Africa. A new logistics platform is trying to fix it.

A new logistics platform, the Logistics Marketplace, is being touted as a solution to the long-standing problem of last-mile delivery in Africa, particularly in the fight against tuberculosis. The disease, which is curable, has become the world's leading infectious disease killer, with 10.7 million people falling ill globally in 2024, according to the World Health Organisation. Africa accounts for a significant share of cases and deaths, with weak infrastructure, paper-based systems, and fragmented logistics disrupting the supply of essential health products. This has left frontline facilities underserved, making it difficult for patients to access the treatment they need.

The Logistics Marketplace aims to address these gaps by connecting governments, humanitarian organisations, and health partners with local logistics providers in emerging markets. By centralising provider discovery, streamlining procurement, and improving visibility into the movement of medicines and diagnostics, the platform hopes to reduce the bottlenecks in treatment delivery. This is particularly crucial in the fight against tuberculosis, where diagnosis depends on a chain of equipment, samples, and data moving in multiple directions.

The platform's goal is to ensure that treatment tools reach those who need them most, but it is not a silver bullet. Experts say that drones, which have been used in countries like Rwanda and Nigeria to deliver blood products and essential medicines, are only part of a broader solution. Strong management and oversight are also necessary to ensure that technology works effectively.

The Logistics Marketplace is a timely solution to the complex problem of last-mile delivery in Africa. As Nigeria's healthcare sector continues to grapple with the challenges of tuberculosis, innovative solutions like this platform are crucial to improving access to treatment. With the likes of Zipline drones already making a significant impact in the region, it will be interesting to see how the Logistics Marketplace complements these efforts.