Ethiopia has got a $1.016 billion grant from the United States as part of President Trump’s America First Global Health Strategy.
The funding was announced in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Ethiopia’s Minister of Health Mekdes Daba and US ambassador to Ethiopia Ervin Massinga.
The cooperation framework agreement aims at fighting HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and malaria, as well as supporting maternal and child health, epidemic preparedness and response.
The United States has signed similar bilateral health MoUs with Kenya, Rwanda, Liberia, Uganda, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, Cameroon, and Nigeria — representing more than $8 billion in direct U.S. investment, matched by more than $5 billion in co-investment by recipient countries.
Massinga said the MOUs are a game-changer and maximize the impact of U.S. global health assistance to counter infectious disease threats, strengthen bilateral relationships.
Daba said the fund will be used to strengthen Ethiopia’s health system, including workforce development, domestic health financing and local pharmaceutical supply and production.
Under the agreement, the United States Government committed up to $1.016 billion in grant financing, alongside an additional $150 million in performance-based grants. The funds will be channeled through government systems to support Ethiopia’s national health priorities over the coming years.
Both sides underscored that the MoU builds on decades of productive Ethiopia–United States cooperation, founded on mutual respect, shared responsibility, and a common objective of safeguarding public health and advancing sustainable development.
They said the agreement demonstrates the commitment of both nations to further deepening collaboration in the health sector and jointly address existing and emerging health challenges for the benefit of the people in the east African country.
MG/as/APA