Eswatini Signs US Health Funding Deal for HIV Programs

On Tuesday, a memorandum of understanding was announced during a courtesy call on Prime Minister Russell Dlamini by senior US State Department official Clinton Brown. This agreement signifies Eswatini's participation in a health funding deal that includes 18 African countries, aimed at enhancing the health of Emaswati through expanded support for HIV programs and epidemic preparedness.

The deal is part of Washington's America First Global Health Strategy, which has replaced traditional aid channels like USAID and reduced funding from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Under this scheme, the US provides funding for health systems in exchange for access to pathogen samples, surveillance data, and sometimes critical minerals.

Other countries such as Nigeria, Botswana, and the Democratic Republic of Congo have also signed similar agreements, while Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya, South Africa, and Ghana have expressed concerns or delayed signing due to various issues, including sovereignty and data privacy.