Minerals for aid: Are new US health deals ‘exploiting’ African countries?
"In late 2025 after the United States shocked the world by suspending global health aid and experts said it would lead to 700,000 more deaths, mostly of children, each year, Washington began proposing unusual bilateral health agreements to developing countries that have infuriated officials and health activists alike.
Critics said the deals, mostly made with African nations, smack of “exploitation” while at least two of the countries in dire need of health aid have pushed back against them.
In November, the US approached Zimbabwean authorities, promising more than $300m in funding in return for sensitive health data in negotiations that Harare felt were “lopsided” and promptly pulled out of, according to memos leaked in recent weeks.
About the same time, the US publicly announced $1bn in funding for neighbouring Zambia pending talks. However, Lusaka, too, called out “problematic” clauses in the US proposal that sought access to the country’s minerals and has since requested a review, according to statements from officials in early March."
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/4/1/minerals-for-aid-are-new-us-health-deals-exploiting-african-countries
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