The United States and Rwanda have signed a $228 million agreement designed to strengthen Rwanda’s health sector while promoting long-term financial self-reliance.

The announcement came late on Friday, just hours after President Paul Kagame and Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Félix Tshisekedi reaffirmed their commitment to a US-brokered peace plan for eastern Congo.

Under the health agreement, the US will provide $158 million to support efforts to combat infectious diseases including HIV and malaria. The funding will also help expand surveillance systems and improve preparedness for future outbreaks.

According to the US State Department, Kigali will contribute an additional $70 million to its domestic health investment as part of the initiative.

The pact follows a similar deal with Kenya earlier this week, making Rwanda the second country to join the America First Global Health Strategy — Washington’s new approach to development assistance aimed at helping partner nations build stronger, self-sustaining health systems.

Faridah Abdulkadiri

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