The Trump Administration has announced significant developments in its America First Global Health Strategy, highlighting the signing of several bilateral Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with countries in Africa. According to the administration, these agreements are intended to increase the impact of U.S. global health assistance and encourage recipient nations to build more resilient and self-reliant health systems.
In a statement, the administration said, "These MOUs are proof positive that President Trump’s leadership is making America safer, stronger, and more prosperous — saving millions of lives and helping recipients stand on their own. The United States will continue to build on this momentum, with additional MOUs to be signed in the coming weeks."
The MOUs have been established with Kenya, Rwanda, Liberia, Uganda, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, Cameroon, and Nigeria. Collectively they represent over $8 billion in direct U.S. investment and more than $5 billion in co-investment from the recipient countries.
“These new MOUs are a game-changer. They maximize the impact of U.S. global health assistance to counter infectious disease threats, strengthen bilateral relationships, and help recipients build resilient, self-reliant health systems – preserving what works in U.S. health foreign assistance while rapidly fixing inefficiencies, reducing dependency, and ensuring that every tax dollar delivers real results for the American people,” according to the statement.
Key details about each agreement include:
- In Kenya: The MOU supports national leadership by shifting resources into domestic systems and reducing reliance on NGOs. It includes investments in data infrastructure and commodities procurement.
- In Rwanda: The agreement aims for full national control of HIV/AIDS response within four years and includes support for advanced medical delivery technologies.
- In Liberia: The focus is on transitioning toward self-reliance by increasing domestic health spending by almost $51 million.
- In Uganda: Investments target combating infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis while supporting digital health initiatives.
- In Lesotho: Efforts concentrate on fighting HIV/AIDS and enhancing workforce capacity along with technological upgrades for clinics.
- In Eswatini: The MOU strengthens public health data systems and increases access to American-made medications.
- In Mozambique: There is an emphasis on innovative prevention solutions for HIV/AIDS as well as improved maternal and child health services.
- In Cameroon: Funding supports healthcare workers and modernizes disease surveillance infrastructure.
- In Nigeria: Resources will bolster faith-based clinics while addressing diseases like HIV/AIDS and malaria.
Each MOU lasts up to five years without a future commitment of continued U.S. aid beyond that period.
The agreements include provisions such as transitioning commodity procurement responsibilities from the U.S. government to partner governments over time; mapping frontline health workers funded by U.S. aid onto local payrolls; scaling up national data systems; increasing domestic healthcare expenditures; and linking financial support to achievement of key performance metrics.
The America First Global Health Strategy was launched on September 18, 2025. It aims to protect Americans from infectious diseases while strengthening global partnerships through innovation abroad.
"The strategy prioritizes bilateral MOUs that transition U.S. technical assistance and key functions to partner governments, mobilize private sector and faith-based organizations, and require increased co-investment from recipient countries," according to the administration.
For further information about this initiative or specific country agreements under the America First Global Health Strategy program readers can visit its official page.
