Drones and robots set to revolutionise last-mile delivery in South Africa

According to experts, by Black Friday 2025, last-mile delivery in South Africa could look very different. The rapid rise in popularity of e-commerce is placing pressure on retailers and last-mile delivery in South Africa. Packages need to be delivered to customers quickly and efficiently, and the best way to do this going forward is with AI (artificial intelligence), smart lockers, delivery drones and robots, say experts …

LAST-MILE DELIVERY IN SOUTH AFRICA

According to the Oliver Wyman Retail and Consumer Journal, 45% of online shoppers and 72% of frequent shoppers prioritise fast delivery above all else. With this in mind, last-mile delivery in South Africa is rapidly turning to digital innovations to keep up with rising demand. “South Africa’s logistics landscape is on the cusp of transformation, with technologies like drones and autonomous robots offering immense potential,” commented Damian Velayadum, Group Financial Director at Fastway Couriers.

“These innovations have the power to address challenges like delivering to remote locations or navigating congested urban spaces. But it’s important to acknowledge that South Africa’s infrastructure is not yet ready for full-scale adoption. We’re committed to staying at the forefront of these developments, recognising their future benefits. However, we are still working within the current landscape to integrate them properly into our operations,” explains Velayadum.

DELIVERY ROBOTS

One of the biggest challenges of last-mile delivery in South Africa are our congested urban environment. Drivers and motorbike riders face obstacles such as traffic, roadworks and other disruptions that make timely deliveries difficult. However, the advent of autonomous delivery robots promises to make this a thing of the past, especially in densely populated cities.

These advanced robots are becoming increasingly popular in the food and grocery delivery sector, with Uber Eats already using them for food deliveries in Austin, Texas. Equipped with advanced camera systems, these compact robots navigate pavements independently, with human intervention only occurring if necessary. While the technology hasn’t become commonplace in South Africa, it is rapidly gaining popularity in North America and Europe.

DRONE DELIVERY

On the other hand, drones are quickly emerging as a game-changing technology in South Africa. The government is actively exploring the integration of delivery drones – also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) – for smaller items. These can range from food to humanitarian aid. In sub-Saharan Africa, for example, they’ve been credited with transforming health care by transporting vaccines and medicine to isolated communities. They also offer environmental benefits, such as reduced vehicle emissions. But what do you think?