Historic Progress in Global Health: Delivering on the america First Strategy
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The Trump Governance is proud to announce historic progress in delivering on the America First Global Health Strategy. In just three months, we have moved with unprecedented speed and focus to conclude a series of landmark bilateral Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with recipient countries. These MOUs are proof positive that President Trump’s leadership is making America safer, stronger, and more prosperous – saving millions of lives and helping recipients stand on their own. The united States will continue to build on this momentum, with additional MOUs to be signed in the coming weeks.
Overview of MOUs Signed to Date
Under President Trump’s America First Global Health Strategy, the United States has signed major bilateral health MOUs with Kenya, Rwanda, Liberia, Uganda, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, Cameroon, and Nigeria – representing more than $8 billion in direct U.S.investment, matched by more than $5 billion in co-investment by recipient countries.
These new MOUs are a game-changer. They maximize the impact of U.S. global health assistance to counter infectious disease threats, strengthen bilateral relationships, and help recipients build resilient, self-reliant health systems – preserving what works in U.S. health foreign assistance while rapidly fixing inefficiencies, reducing dependency, and ensuring that every tax dollar delivers real results for the American people.
* Kenya: Supports Kenya’s leadership in charting its own health priorities by shifting more resources into the national system and reducing reliance on NGOs. Invests in data, commodities procurement, and modernization to build sustainable capacity. Incorporates meaningful co-investment commitments from Kenya aligned with ambitious yet realistic performance benchmarks, paving the way for long-term health self-reliance.$2.5 billion (More than $1.6 billion from the United States, more than $850 million from Kenya)
* Rwanda: Outlines a comprehensive vision to save lives and strengthen Rwanda’s health system, including by moving away from NGO delivery systems, investing in cutting-edge health care infrastructure, fostering greater national ownership, and positioning Rwanda to take full control of its HIV/AIDS response by year four of the partnership. Builds on the Department’s landmark award to Zipline International Inc. to support the construction of American-made advanced robotics to deliver life-saving medical products. expands private sector partnership and investment, including developing next generation HIV treatments and deploying artificial intelligence (AI) for healthcare. $228 million (Nearly $158 million from the united States, $70 million from Rwanda)
* Liberia: Accelerates Liberia’s transition toward self-reliance and sustainability, saving U.S. taxpayers money and securing long-term health outcomes. Supports critical areas such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, maternal and child health, and global health security. Increases Liberia’s commitment to domestic health expenditures by almost $51 million to assume greater financial and operational responsibility for domestic health systems. $183 million (More than $132 million from the United States, nearly $51 million from Liberia)
U.S. Global Health Strategy Focuses on partner Ownership and Performance-Based Funding
The U.S. government,under the “America First Global health Strategy” launched in September 2025,is shifting its approach to global health funding and technical assistance.This strategy prioritizes strengthening health systems in partner countries, increasing their financial commitment to healthcare, and tying U.S. support to measurable results. The core of this new approach relies on bilateral Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) designed to foster greater partner country ownership and sustainability.
Key Pillars of the New Strategy
The “America First Global Health Strategy” centers around three key pillars:
* Data Systems: Funding is being allocated to help partner governments scale up their health data systems. This aims to improve the long-term tracking of crucial programmatic data related to major health challenges like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), malaria, polio, and disease outbreaks.Robust data systems are essential for effective program management and informed decision-making.
* Co-Investment: A central tenet of the strategy is increased financial commitment from partner governments. The MOUs require recipient countries to increase their domestic health expenditures over the agreement period. This is intended to ensure long-term sustainability of health programs, reducing reliance on U.S. government funding. The world Health Organization emphasizes the importance of domestic resource mobilization for sustainable health systems.
* Performance Incentives: U.S. financial support is now directly linked to a country’s performance against pre-defined health metrics.Countries that meet or exceed these metrics will receive continued funding, with additional financial incentives awarded for surpassing targets. this performance-based approach aims to drive greater efficiency and impact from U.S. investments.
America First Global Health Strategy: A Comprehensive Vision
Launched on September 18, 2025, the “america First Global Health Strategy” outlines a broad vision for protecting Americans from infectious disease threats, bolstering global health systems, and promoting American innovation in the health sector. The strategy emphasizes bilateral agreements, collaboration with the private sector and faith-based organizations, and increased financial contributions from recipient countries.
Why the Shift in Strategy?
This new strategy represents a significant departure from previous U.S. global health approaches. The shift reflects a desire to move away from long-term, open-ended funding commitments towards a more targeted and accountable system. By emphasizing partner ownership and performance, the U.S.government aims to ensure that its investments are used effectively and contribute to lasting improvements in global health security. This approach also aligns with a broader “America First” policy framework, prioritizing U.S. interests and seeking greater burden-sharing from partner nations.
Key Takeaways
* The U.S. is transitioning to a global health strategy focused on partner country ownership.
* Funding is tied to performance against specific health metrics.
* Recipient countries are expected to increase their domestic health spending.
* The strategy aims to improve data systems for better tracking of health programs.
* The “America First global Health Strategy” was launched in September 2025.
This new approach to global health funding and assistance signals a long-term commitment to strengthening health systems worldwide, but with a renewed emphasis on accountability, sustainability, and shared responsibility. The success of this strategy will depend on the willingness of partner countries to embrace these changes and demonstrate their commitment to improving the health of their populations.