Zambia Opposes U.S. Plan to Tie $2 Billion Health Funding to Critical Minerals Access Over Privacy and Sovereignty Concerns
Zambia has rejected a U.S. proposal that sought to link health-sector funding with access to the country’s critical minerals, exposing key points of disagreement that have stalled negotiations between the two governments.
Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Mulambo Haimbe said the United States had proposed providing up to $2 billion in health funding over five years under a draft bilateral agreement.
However, he noted that several provisions particularly those related to data sharing raised serious concerns about the protection of citizens’ privacy rights, according to Reuters.
Dispute over linking health and minerals agreements
Zambia has also objected to a separate proposed framework covering critical minerals. A major sticking point, according to Haimbe, is the U.S. proposal to link the two agreements, effectively making progress on minerals cooperation conditional on signing a health memorandum of understanding.
“The Zambian government has been consistent that these agreements must be considered separately on their respective merits,” Haimbe stated.
While he did not disclose specific details of the health data requested, he emphasized that concerns over personal data protection were central to Zambia’s position.
On the minerals side, officials are also cautious about provisions that could give preferential access to U.S. companies in Zambia’s mining sector.
Broader concerns over sovereignty and aid conditions
Health policy observers have previously warned that the proposed arrangement could tie development assistance to resource access while raising risks around sensitive health data governance.
Zambia has previously indicated that portions of the draft agreement did not align with its national interests.
The dispute reflects a broader reassessment by several African countries of similar arrangements amid evolving U.S. foreign aid and strategic resource policies.
Other countries in the region have taken similar positions. Ghana has reportedly rejected comparable proposals, citing concerns over data protection requirements.
Zimbabwe also withdrew from talks on a $350 million U.S. health funding package, pointing to what it described as unacceptable conditions affecting national sovereignty.
About the Author
