What You Need to Know
The Zambian government has rejected a portion of a US global health aid deal exceeding $1 billion, citing misalignment with national interests. The deal, aimed at combating diseases like HIV and malaria, requires significant co-funding from Zambia, raising concerns about data sharing linked to mining. Advocates warn of potential risks to public health funding.
Africa-Press. The Zambian government announced its rejection of part of a global health aid deal from the United States worth over $1 billion, stating it does not align with the country’s interests. Health advocates warned that the deal ties funding to mining licensing and involves risks related to data sharing.
The agreement organizes over $1 billion in US funding to combat diseases such as HIV and malaria, as well as to improve disease outbreak preparedness and maternal and child health over the next five years. It also requires approximately $340 million in co-funding from the Zambian government during the same period, according to a draft of the agreement.
The signing of the agreement was scheduled for November but was postponed after the revised drafts included a contentious clause, according to a spokesperson for the Zambian Ministry of Health.
The spokesperson stated that this clause “does not align with the position and interests of the Zambian government… Therefore, we requested further amendments to the mentioned content,” declining to elaborate on the specifics of this content.
The spokesperson added, “It has nothing to do with minerals, mining, or any natural resources,” emphasizing that they remain open to constructive dialogue, “but only under clear and mutually agreed terms that fully align with Zambia’s national interests.”
In December, the United States announced its commitment, alongside Zambia, to a plan aimed at securing a significant grant package of US support in exchange for cooperation in the mining sector and implementing clear reforms in the business sector.
Zambia is the second-largest copper producer in Africa, following the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and possesses resources of cobalt, nickel, manganese, graphite, lithium, and rare earth elements.
In response to inquiries, a spokesperson for the US State Department stated earlier this month that the country would not disclose details of ongoing diplomatic negotiations.
The spokesperson added, “Secretary of State Marco Rubio has made it clear that continued foreign aid is not charity; it is designed to serve the national interests of the United States.”
However, the draft agreement reviewed by Reuters outlines how to terminate the deal and halt funding if Zambia and the United States fail to reach an agreement by April 1 regarding a “bilateral agreement” proposed by Rubio to Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema on November 17, 2025. Three sources indicated that this agreement is linked to cooperation in the mining sector.
Health advocates in both countries pointed out that the data-sharing agreement outlined in the draft, which was set to last for ten years, raises issues, and they expressed concerns about the secrecy surrounding the negotiations.
Owen Mulingwa, an official with the Treatment Advocacy and Literacy Campaign, a local NGO advocating for the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS in Zambia to access fair, affordable, and sustainable treatment and care, stated that the data exchange would be one-way from Zambia to the United States, benefiting the US. Mulingwa said, “We need support from the United States, but transparency must prevail.” He added that there is much speculation linking the deal to the mining sector, but the government has refused to discuss this matter with activists.
Asia Russell, executive director of the global advocacy organization Health Gap, which has closely monitored the deal, stated, “This deal will lead to a reduction in US government funding for life-saving programs… prioritizing the interests of mining companies over the needs of Zambians living with HIV.”
This deal is the latest in a series of bilateral agreements reshaping how President Trump deals with the status quo. The US administration is providing billions of dollars for global health funding after dissolving its aid agency last year, cutting funding and contracts worldwide – including in Zambia – and pledging to put “America First” in its global health strategy.
Earlier on Wednesday, Zimbabwe withdrew from a $367 million deal, citing concerns over data sharing and privacy, describing it as inequitable. Kenya’s deal with the United States, valued at over $1.6 billion, has also been suspended pending a legal decision. However, several other countries, including Nigeria and Uganda, have signed the agreement.
Zambia is a significant player in the global copper market, being the second-largest producer in Africa. The country has been involved in various international aid agreements, particularly in health, often tied to economic conditions or reforms in sectors like mining. This latest rejection reflects ongoing tensions between national interests and foreign aid conditions.
The US has historically provided substantial health funding to Zambia, particularly for HIV/AIDS programs. However, recent agreements have faced scrutiny due to concerns over transparency and the implications of linking health aid to mining sector reforms.
