US and Congo Agree to $1.2 Billion Health Partnership

The 5-year deal aims to fight HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria, and improve maternal and child health.

Feb. 27, 2026 at 6:22am

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The United States and the Democratic Republic of Congo have signed a $1.2 billion health partnership agreement. Under the deal, the U.S. will provide up to $900 million over the next 5 years to support Congo's efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and improve maternal and child mortality. In return, Congo has committed to increasing its own domestic health spending by $300 million over the same period.

Why it matters

This new health partnership comes as many African countries have faced cuts to U.S. aid, which has crippled their health systems. The agreement aims to increase self-sufficiency and eliminate what the U.S. calls "ideological priorities and waste" in international assistance, aligning with the Trump administration's "America First" approach to global health funding.

The details

The $1.2 billion partnership will be funded through a $900 million commitment from the U.S. Department of State and a $300 million increase in Congo's own domestic health expenditures. The deal is part of a broader strategy by the U.S. to sign bilateral global health partnerships with more than a dozen African countries, replacing previous health agreements under the now-dismantled United States Agency for International Development.

  • The partnership was signed on February 27, 2026.
  • The 5-year agreement will run from 2026 to 2031.

The players

United States Department of State

The U.S. government agency responsible for foreign affairs and diplomacy, which will provide up to $900 million in funding for the health partnership.

Democratic Republic of Congo

The Central African country that will commit $300 million in increased domestic health spending as part of the partnership agreement with the U.S.

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What they’re saying

“There are huge concerns regarding data, regarding pathogen sharing.”

— Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director-General, Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Associated Press)

What’s next

The partnership agreement will be implemented over the next 5 years, with the U.S. providing up to $900 million in funding and Congo increasing its domestic health spending by $300 million.

The takeaway

This new health partnership between the U.S. and Congo represents a shift in Washington's approach to global health aid, moving away from previous agreements to a more transactional model focused on self-sufficiency and data-sharing. While the deal aims to strengthen Congo's health system, concerns remain about the implications for pathogen data sharing and the broader impacts on international cooperation in public health.