Zambia Accuses US of Tying $2 Billion Health Deal to Mineral Access

May 5, 2026

Zambia accuses the United States of tying a $2 billion health assistance deal to preferential treatment of U.S. companies over Zambia's critical minerals. Foreign affairs minister Mulambo Haimbe called U.S. ambassador Michael Gonzales's corruption allegations mischievous and undiplomatic on May 5, 2026. Gonzales dismissed Zambia's mineral access claims as absolutely false. Zimbabwe walked away from a $367 million U.S. health package over similar data-sharing concerns.

Zambia-US health deal dispute

▪Negotiations between the United States and Zambia have continued for months to conclude the $2 billion health deal.
▪Zambia is accusing the United States of tying a $2 billion deal for critical health assistance to access to Zambia's mineral assets.
▪The Associated Press receives financial support for global health and development coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation.
▪Michael Gonzales stated that Zambian authorities had "ignored" U.S. overtures to conclude a new health deal.
▪Michael Gonzales dismissed Zambia's allegations about mineral access as "alarmist allegations" that he called "disgusting" and "absolutely and patently false."
▪Michael Gonzales stated in late April 2026 that Zambian leaders had "abdicated their responsibilities, letting the United States pay for healthcare while officials diverted government funds to their own pockets."
▪Mulambo Haimbe described Michael Gonzales's accusations of Zambian graft and negotiation inertia as "deeply regrettable, undiplomatic and inconsistent with the spirit of mutual respect."
▪Zambia's foreign affairs minister Mulambo Haimbe called outgoing U.S. ambassador Michael Gonzales's allegations of corruption "mischievous" and "undiplomatic" on May 5, 2026.

Trump administration aid restructuring

▪The Trump administration dismantled the United States Agency for International Development.
▪Since late 2025, the United States has signed health agreements with about 30 countries, many in Africa.
▪President Donald Trump's "America First" strategy is reshaping aid to Africa into transactional agreements.
▪The Trump administration dismantled the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

Data-sharing demands

▪The United States withdrew from the World Health Organization in January 2026.
▪Mulambo Haimbe stated that negotiations with the United States stalled over "unacceptable" data-sharing demands "in violation of our citizens' right to privacy."
▪Draft U.S. proposals in Lesotho sought 25 years of access to health data and biological samples before local officials secured a shorter five-year deal.

Mineral access conditions

▪Mulambo Haimbe accused the United States of insisting on "preferential treatment of U.S companies over Zambia's critical minerals."

African countries' pushback

▪A $2.5 billion U.S. health agreement with Kenya signed in December 2025 has been put on hold after a court challenge arguing it violates data protection laws.
▪Zimbabwe walked away from a $367 million U.S. health package over data-sharing concerns.

Health equity concerns

▪Asia Russell of Health GAP warned that "When health becomes a bargaining chip, everyone becomes less safe."
▪During the COVID-19 pandemic, African countries contributed data and samples but were largely last in line for vaccines.