• The U.S. commits $158 million over five years to strengthen Rwanda’s disease control capacity.
• Rwanda adds $70 million in domestic health investments under the agreement.
• This deal makes Rwanda the second African country after Kenya to sign such a bilateral health framework with the U.S.

The United States and Rwanda signed a $228 million memorandum of understanding to reinforce Rwanda’s public health system. Rwanda’s foreign affairs ministry announced the agreement on 6 December on its X account.

Washington commits $158 million over the next five years to support Rwanda’s efforts against HIV/AIDS, malaria and other infectious diseases. The funding will also strengthen disease surveillance and epidemic response capacity. The Rwandan government plans to increase its own health investments by $70 million under the partnership.

In Washington, Minister @onduhungirehe signed a $228M Bilateral Health Cooperation MoU with Jeremy Lewin, Senior Official, Under Secretary for Foreign Assistance, Humanitarian Affairs, and Religious Freedom.

The 5-year framework ushers in a new chapter in Rwanda–U.S. health… pic.twitter.com/cZFpYAg6iF

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Int'l Cooperation (@RwandaMFA) December 6, 2025

The memorandum follows a joint initiative launched in November between the U.S. and Zipline International Inc., the medical-drone delivery company. The partners agreed to expand access to essential medical supplies in several African countries, including Rwanda. The initiative will deliver medicines by drone and deploy a radar system designed to detect biological threats and track potential epidemics.

Rwanda has recorded significant improvements in health outcomes in recent years. The country has posted strong progress against HIV/AIDS and is among the nations that achieved the 95-95-95 control targets. Nearly 90% of Rwandans currently benefit from universal health coverage, according to Think Global Health. That coverage contributed to higher life expectancy, which rose from 66.6 years in 2017 to 69.9 years.

Rwanda follows Kenya, which signed a similar intergovernmental health agreement with the United States on 4 December. Washington pledged $1.6 billion to Kenya over the next five years to modernize hospital equipment, fund the Social Health Authority and improve disease surveillance systems.

This article was initially published in French by Lydie Mobio

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum