• The United States committed $156 million to Burundi’s health sector over five years under a new memorandum of understanding.

• Burundi must mobilize $26 million in domestic funding by 2030, representing about 17% of the total envelope.

• The program prioritizes HIV/AIDS, malaria, and infectious disease control amid persistent system constraints.

Burundi and the United States signed a $156 million memorandum of understanding over five years to strengthen Burundi’s health system.

????The United States and Burundi signed a nearly $156 million five-year global health Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) through the #AmericaFirst Global Health Strategy. This MOU represents a shared commitment to saving lives and protecting Burundians and Americans from… pic.twitter.com/AOwCJngITl

— U.S. Embassy Burundi (@US_Emb_Burundi) February 9, 2026

According to a statement released by the U.S. Embassy on Monday, February 9, 2026, the partnership aims to continue transforming the health sector, with a strong focus on combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other infectious diseases. The agreement forms part of a broader set of health partnerships that the United States recently concluded with several African countries, including Liberia, Uganda, and Côte d’Ivoire, under the America First Global Health Strategy.

This strategy encourages beneficiary countries to mobilize more domestic resources to address national health priorities. Under the agreement, Burundi must contribute $26 million by 2030, representing about 17% of the total funding envelope.

In recent years, Burundi has recorded notable progress in its health system, according to the World Health Organization. The country has integrated the malaria vaccine into its routine immunization program. On HIV, 92% of people living with the virus know their status, 98% of them receive antiretroviral therapy, and 93% have achieved viral load suppression, bringing the country close to the 95-95-95 targets set for 2025.

Despite these gains, Burundi continues to face several challenges, including heavy reliance on international aid, shortages of qualified health personnel, recurring drug stock-outs, and limited access to healthcare services in rural areas.

This article was initially published in French by Ingrid Haffiny (intern)

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de BERRY QUENUM