DR Congo Signs U.S. Health Deal as Questions Around Data Remain

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has signed a $1.2 billion health financing agreement with the United States, joining neighboring Uganda in adopting Washington's latest funding framework. Under the five-year deal announced, the DRC will receive $900 million in U.S. government assistance. In exchange, the Congolese government has committed to $300 million in increased domestic health spending.

The partnership targets several critical health interventions, including HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria, and maternal and child health services. It follows a new template Washington is pursuing across Africa. The strategy shifts away from traditional third-party donor channels toward direct government-to-government arrangements, requiring recipient nations to match a portion of the funds and structured Data-Sharing frameworks.

Earlier, Zambia rejected a proposed $1.012 billion agreement after a leaked draft memorandum that reportedly included provisions granting the U.S. extended access to national health data. Zimbabwe also withdrew from talks on a $367 million health pact, with officials describing the proposed arrangement as "asymmetrical".