Eswatini has signed a health funding agreement with the United States worth more than 3.24 billion emalangeni ($195 million) amid concerns the deal will expose the kingdom to abuse of its biological resources and health data in exchange for aid.
The memorandum of understanding was announced Tuesday during a courtesy call on Prime Minister Russell Dlamini by senior US State Department official Clinton Brown who praised Eswatini’s “successful negotiation” under King Mswati III’s guidance.
Brown said the agreement would “benefit the health of Emaswati,” citing expanded support for HIV programmes and epidemic preparedness.
The deal forms part of Washington’s America First Global Health Strategy, which has replaced traditional aid channels such as USAID and scaled back President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
Under the scheme, the US provides funding for health systems in exchange for access to pathogen samples, surveillance data and sometimes critical minerals.
More than 18 African countries – including Nigeria, Botswana and the Democratic Republic of Congo – have signed similar agreements.
But several governments have balked at the conditions.
Zimbabwe rejected a $300 million package outright, citing sovereignty concerns. Zambia delayed signing over clauses tying aid to mineral resources.
Kenya initially agreed to a $2.5 billion deal, but its courts suspended implementation on data privacy grounds. South Africa and Ghana have also resisted aspects of the programme, warning that pathogen data is strategically sensitive.
Critics describe the agreements as “transactional” and “imbalanced”, arguing they externalise US health responsibilities while undermining African autonomy.
Pathogen sequencing data is vital for biosecurity, pharmaceutical innovation and vaccine development, giving Washington a competitive edge.
JN/APA