NIAMEY, Niger, Niger has signed a five‑year, $128 million health cooperation agreement with the United States, marking a significant step in bilateral health engagement under Washington’s America First Global Health Strategy. Announced by officials on Monday, the memorandum of understanding outlines commitments from both countries to improve Niger’s healthcare infrastructure, boost disease surveillance and response, and expand services for maternal, child and infectious disease care. Under the agreement, the U.S. will contribute about $107 million in support, while the Nigerien government will provide roughly $71 million from its own budget to make the joint programme effective.
The pact emphasises direct cooperation between the two governments, with a focus on strengthening frontline health services and reducing reliance on traditional multilateral aid channels. U.S. officials say the funds will be used to bolster public health systems, enhance disease outbreak preparedness and improve basic care especially in underserved rural areas. Projects under the deal are expected to include efforts to fight malaria, improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes, and build digital health systems for better monitoring of health trends.
The agreement comes amid a broader push by the United States to reshape how it supports health systems in Africa, replacing old funding models with bilateral compacts that require co‑financing and deeper collaboration. While some African governments have praised the approach for its focus on sustainability, others have raised concerns about terms related to data sharing and national ownership. Niger’s decision to sign reflects its current government’s willingness to engage with Washington on strategic health issues as part of wider efforts to rebuild and expand its public services.