HomeLatestPress ReleaseAmerica First Global Health Strategy – United States and Ethiopia  Sign Bilateral...

America First Global Health Strategy – United States and Ethiopia  Sign Bilateral Health Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) 

Ethiopia USA Health
Ambassador Ervin J. Massinga signing five-year, $1.466 billion Health Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)with Ethiopia’s Minister of Finance Ahmed Shide, and Minister of Health Dr. Mekdes Daba at the Ministry of Finance in Addis Ababa, December 23, 2025. (Courtesy of U.S. Embassy)

U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa
Press Release

Addis Ababa, December 24, 2025: On Tuesday, December 23, 2025, the  Government of the United States of America and the Federal Democratic Republic  of Ethiopia took a bold step forward in global health diplomacy with the signing of  a five-year, $1.466 billion Health Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding  (MOU).  United States Ambassador Ervin J. Massinga signed the MOU with  Ethiopia’s Minister of Finance Ahmed Shide, and Minister of Health Dr. Mekdes Daba at the Ministry of Finance in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 

 As a part of this co-investment, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has  committed to increasing its own health spending by $450 million. 

This landmark document is more than a financial plan; it is a jointly agreed upon  co-investment plan specifically designed to advance the United States and  Ethiopia’s shared health goals. The five-year MOU plans to save lives, create truly  sustainable development assistance, strengthen health systems, and build a safer,  more prosperous future for both Americans and Ethiopians. 

Ethiopia has now joined numerous nations in agreeing to multi-year  comprehensive health partnerships with the United States.  This MOU builds upon  a history of successful health cooperation, including most recently U.S. support for  Ethiopia’s response to the Marburg virus disease outbreak.  It sets a new standard 

for bilateral cooperation by providing strategic, jointly agreed upon health assistance that strengthens recipient governments health systems and Ethiopia’s  ability to become self-reliant.  The MOU is an essential part of the America First  Global Health Strategy, launched in September 2025. 

A Model for Sustainable Health Investment 

The MOU is innovative in both its ambition and its design.  Over the next five  years, the United States plans to provide up to $1.016 billion to Ethiopia’s priority  health programs, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, maternal and child  health, polio eradication, as well as in infectious disease outbreak preparedness  and response, including ongoing support for the Marburg response.  

This co-investment model ensures that gains made through decades of U.S. foreign assistance to Ethiopia—more than $5 billion since 2005—are preserved, owned,  and sustained by Ethiopia’s own institutions.  By transitioning procurement of  health commodities and integrating functions of frontline health workers into Ethiopia’s health system, the MOU further builds local capacity and resilience.   The MOU’s focus on scaling up electronic health records and data systems will  empower Ethiopia to track and respond to health threats with greater speed and  precision. 

Strengthening Systems, Empowering People 

The MOU recognizes that strong health systems are built on more than funding— they require robust institutions, skilled health workers, and comprehensive  policies.  By supporting the Ministry of Health and strengthening systems that  provide an enabling environment for faith-based and private providers, the five year MOU ensures that all Ethiopians, regardless of where they seek care, can  access essential services.  

Performance incentives embedded in the agreement will drive results and  accountability.  If key health outcomes are not achieved, funding will decrease  accordingly.  This approach aligns resources with impact, ensuring that every  dollar spent delivers measurable benefits for both countries. 

A Partnership for the Future 

This new five-year phase in U.S.-Ethiopia cooperation is not just about health—it  is about shared security and prosperity through co-investment.  Infectious diseases know no borders.  Through this MOU, the United States is helping Ethiopia build 

a resilient health system and is protecting American citizens from global health  threats.  At the same time, a healthier Ethiopia means a stronger partner in trade,  security, and innovation. 

The United States and Ethiopia have worked side by side for several decades to  save lives and strengthen systems.  Today, we reaffirm that partnership with this  five-year MOU and chart a course toward a future where Ethiopian health gains  

are sustained by Ethiopian hands, for Ethiopian communities.  This is the promise  of true partnership—a path to a healthier, self-resilient and safer world for all. 

Protecting Health, Advancing Prosperity 

The stakes are high.  Infectious diseases do not respect borders, and resilient health  systems are the first line of defense for both Ethiopian and American citizens.    Today’s MOU is the culmination of decades of collaboration that signals our  mutual commitment to safeguard health gains made, empowers local institutions,  and aims to ensure that Ethiopia’s health system is resilient, responsive, and self sustainable. 

As the United States and Ethiopia move forward together, this jointly agreed upon  MOU stands as a testament to what is possible when nations invest in each other’s  futures—not just with resources, but with trust, vision, and shared purpose. 

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2 COMMENTS

  1. These are exaggerated numbers. Do you know how much $1.4 Billion is?

    1,400,000,000.

    Even split over five years is still an extreme amount of money. Then they said more than Five Billion since 2005.

    Where did all this money go? That’s if it ever was sent out.

    One million dollars anywhere is a lot, and Ethiopia has been getting billions of dollars from multiple countries.

  2. Once again Good Ole USA standing by the side and shoulder to shoulder with its dearest friends of the people pf Ethiopia. This shows the more than a century old friendship between USA and Ethiopia is still intact and getting stronger. Right on USA, eight on!!!!

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