Burundi secures $129 million US-backed health funding over five years

Burundi has officially become the latest beneficiary of the American First Health Initiative, following the signing of a five-year bilateral health cooperation memorandum valued at more than $129 million, aimed at strengthening the country’s health system.

The agreement focuses on expanding access to essential health services, improving disease prevention and response capacity, and reinforcing health infrastructure across Burundi. It marks a significant milestone in US–Burundi cooperation and places the country alongside Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda as recipients of the initiative in East Africa.

According to the U.S Department of State, the funding will support priority areas including maternal and child health, infectious disease control, workforce training, health data systems, and service delivery at community level. The program is designed to work through national institutions while aligning with Burundi’s long-term health sector strategies.

The American First Health Initiative emphasizes bilateral partnerships that prioritize measurable outcomes, sustainability, and accountability. Under the agreement, implementation will involve collaboration between Burundian health authorities, local partners, and US-supported technical agencies.

Health sector analysts say the inclusion of Burundi reflects growing recognition of the need to close health financing and capacity gaps across the region, particularly in countries facing resource constraints and high disease burdens.

For Burundi, the deal is expected to help improve health outcomes while easing pressure on public health facilities. Officials say strengthened systems will not only benefit patients but also enhance preparedness for future health emergencies.

The agreement also reinforces broader regional cooperation, as East African countries increasingly align health investments with cross-border disease surveillance and response mechanisms.

With Burundi now joining Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda under the initiative, observers say the program signals a deeper US engagement in strengthening public health systems across East Africa over the coming years.