The United States and Rwanda have finalized a Sh29.4 billion ($228 million) agreement to support Rwanda’s health sector, the State Department said, marking the second pact under Washington’s new overseas aid model.
This follows Kenya, which became the first country to adopt the approach, known as the "America First Global Health Strategy," unveiled in September to help countries manage their health systems independently.
The funding, jointly provided by both governments, aims to "save lives, strengthen Rwanda's health system," and enhance American safety, the State Department said late Friday.
It comes a day after Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and Democratic Republic of the Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi reaffirmed their commitment to a U.S.-facilitated agreement to end conflict in eastern Congo.
Under the agreement, the U.S. will contribute up to $158 million to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other infectious diseases while boosting disease monitoring and outbreak response.
"In turn, the government of Rwanda plans to increase its own domestic health investment by $70 million, taking on greater financial responsibility as U.S. support is gradually reduced over the years," the State Department added.
The deal will also expand an initiative where the drone-delivery company Zipline distributes essential medical supplies across Rwanda.
"The agreement underscores Rwanda's ambition to build a self-reliant, adaptive, and technology-enabled health system," said Oliver Nduhungirehe, Rwanda’s foreign minister, after signing the pact with U.S. officials in Washington.
Rwanda’s engagement under this new aid model reflects a growing focus on creating resilient health systems that can respond to crises efficiently while reducing long-term dependence on external support.
