Health Aid or Mining Access? Zambia Delays $1B+ US Health Deal Over 'Problematic' Conditions: Gov't
Health Aid or Mining Access? Zambia Delays $1B+ US Health Deal Over 'Problematic' Conditions: Gov't
Zambian authorities pushed back on the proposed health funding agreement after identifying a section that "did not align with the position and interests of the government," a Ministry of Health spokesperson told Western media.
Key details about the leaked draft deal, cited by media:
🟠The five-year deal covers US funding for HIV, malaria, maternal health, and disease outbreak preparedness, requiring approximately $340 million in co-financing from Zambia.
🟠Originally scheduled for November signing, the agreement was reportedly delayed after revised drafts included a problematic provision.
🟠The spokesperson declined to elaborate on the specific content, stating only that further revisions have been requested.
🟠The draft agreement reportedly links the health funding to a separate "bilateral compact" tied to mining collaboration, requiring agreement by April 1—otherwise the deal terminates.
🟠In December, the US announced plans with Zambia, Africa's second-largest copper producer, to "unlock a substantial grant package of US support in exchange for collaboration in the mining sector."
The development follows similar tensions: Zimbabwe recently pulled out of a $367 million health deal citing unequal terms, while Kenya's $1.6 billion agreement remains suspended pending a legal case.
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