African Health Leader Raises Red Flags Over U.S. Funding Agreements

The head of Africa's disease control agency expressed serious worries about new U.S. health funding deals that require countries to share disease data. Zimbabwe has already withdrawn from a $367 million agreement, citing concerns about unfair terms and sensitive information sharing.

The leader of Africa’s top disease control organization warned Thursday about troubling provisions in new health funding agreements being negotiated between the United States and African nations.

Jean Kaseya, who serves as Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, expressed serious reservations during a virtual news briefing. “There are huge concerns regarding data, regarding pathogen sharing,” Kaseya stated.

His comments came one day after Zimbabwe withdrew from negotiations over a five-year, $367 million U.S. health funding package. Zimbabwean officials cited worries about protecting sensitive information and described the proposed terms as unfair. Zambia’s leadership has also pushed back against certain provisions in their proposed agreement.

International health advocacy groups have criticized key elements of these funding deals, particularly requirements that recipient nations must quickly provide Washington with information about disease-causing organisms that might trigger outbreaks within their borders. Critics note these agreements don’t ensure that any medications or vaccines developed from shared data would be made available to the contributing countries.

These negotiations represent part of a broader overhaul of how President Donald Trump’s administration distributes billions in international health assistance. This restructuring follows the dismantling of the U.S. aid agency last year, along with funding cuts and contract cancellations worldwide, as part of an “America First” approach to global health policy.

Kaseya acknowledged he initially welcomed this new strategy because it would provide more direct funding to African nations while requiring them to contribute their own resources. However, he declined an invitation for his organization to observe the negotiations, citing respect for individual countries’ independence.

Despite staying out of the talks directly, Kaseya said his agency has been assisting countries that request help and remains ready to provide guidance for any nation wanting to renegotiate terms with the United States. His organization also stands prepared to help implement whatever agreements countries ultimately decide to sign.

“I said to all of my countries, you have full support from Africa CDC. Even if you want to re-negotiate … if you want Africa CDC to be there, we’ll be there,” Kaseya explained.