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U.S. Signs Rwanda Health Deal, Marking Second Pact Under 'America First' Strategy

The agreements shift U.S. global health funding to multi-year compacts with partner governments that require domestic co-investment.

Overview

  • The Rwanda memorandum sets five-year funding of $228 million, with up to $158 million from the U.S. and $70 million from Rwanda, focused on HIV/AIDS, malaria, and disease surveillance.
  • Rwanda is slated to assume full control of its HIV/AIDS response by year four, with the partnership moving delivery away from parallel NGO systems and toward national ownership.
  • Kenya signed the first framework on Dec. 4 for $2.5 billion over five years, including more than $1.6 billion in U.S. support and an $850 million Kenyan pledge.
  • State Department fact sheets say Washington will cover 100% of frontline health workers and commodities for the next fiscal year, then transition procurement and payrolls as countries increase spending.
  • Officials say dozens more multi-year agreements are planned, with countries like Nigeria and South Africa not expected early due to political differences, and with expanded roles for faith-based providers and U.S. firms such as Zipline and Ginkgo Bioworks.