The United States and Burkina Faso have signed a five-year bilateral health cooperation agreement under the Trump administration’s America First Global Health Strategy, committing $147 million to strengthen the West African nation’s capacity to manage infectious disease threats.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is designed to reinforce regional health security in the Sahel and advance Burkina Faso’s ability to address diseases before they reach U.S. borders. Thomas Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, noted that the funding is intended to help Burkina Faso tackle infectious diseases early, preventing them from spreading internationally.
The agreement allocates $12 million to initiatives that enhance community health systems, digitize data reporting, and expand laboratory capabilities to detect potential pathogens. Burkina Faso will also increase its domestic health expenditure by $107 million, demonstrating national investment in the program. By the end of the MOU period, U.S.-funded frontline health care and laboratory workers will be integrated into Burkina Faso’s national health workforce.
Officials highlighted that the program integrates longstanding malaria and maternal-child health initiatives with enhanced community systems, emphasizing continued support for frontline health workers who form the foundation of sustainable, locally led services.
