The United States and Tanzania have signed a memorandum of understanding committing more than $1.3 billion in combined investments to Tanzania’s healthcare sector over the next five years, marking one of the largest bilateral health partnerships in East Africa.

Under the agreement, Washington will inject more than $1.3 billion into Tanzania’s health system while Tanzania will commit an additional $1.8 billion to strengthen hospitals, disease surveillance systems and healthcare delivery nationwide.

The deal forms part of President Donald Trump’s “America First Global Health Strategy,” an initiative aimed at reducing long-term dependence on foreign aid by encouraging developing nations to increase domestic healthcare financing.

Tanzania expands health infrastructure and disease preparedness

According to the U.S. Embassy in Tanzania, the joint investment will focus on preventing infectious diseases while improving Tanzania’s ability to finance, manage and sustain essential health services independently.

The agreement arrives as Tanzania accelerates reforms across its healthcare sector, including major investments in health infrastructure, digital health systems and workforce development.

Tanzanian Health Minister Mohamed Mchengerwa emphasized that the partnership does not include provisions allowing the transfer of Tanzanian biological samples abroad.

“Tanzania’s specimens, including those linked to outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics, will remain tested, stored and governed within Tanzania,” he said during the signing ceremony.

Regional scrutiny shapes new health partnerships

Similar agreements signed by the United States with Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda have generated debate across Africa over issues ranging from data privacy to access to strategic mineral resources.

Zambia rejected proposals linking health cooperation to mineral access, while legal proceedings in Kenya temporarily halted aspects of a similar arrangement pending a court review over data protection concerns.

Health economy roadmap drives growth

Tanzania is pursuing an ambitious $12.8 billion Public-Private Partnership Health Economy Roadmap for 2026-2031, with private investors expected to provide 68% of the financing.

The government has also expanded its Universal Health Insurance programme, extending coverage to more than 172,000 vulnerable households as it seeks to achieve broader healthcare access and improve resilience against future health emergencies.

The latest U.S. partnership positions Tanzania as one of Africa’s fastest-growing healthcare investment destinations and underscores the increasing role of public-private collaboration in reshaping the continent’s health economy.