Ivory Coast Signs $487 Million Health Partnership with United States to Boost Disease Response

Ivory Coast and the United States have signed a $487 million health agreement to strengthen the country’s healthcare system, improve disease detection, and expand services to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. The partnership emphasizes national ownership, integration of U.S.-supported programs, and long-term sustainable improvements in public health.

Ivory Coast has formalized a significant bilateral health agreement with the United States valued at $487 million, a move designed to strengthen the country’s health system and enhance its ability to prevent, detect, and respond to a range of diseases. The agreement emphasizes improving disease detection systems, expanding access to healthcare services, and addressing major public health challenges such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. Officials described the deal as a strategic partnership that combines international expertise with national priorities to create a more resilient and sustainable healthcare infrastructure.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ivorian Prime Minister Beugre Mambe highlighted that the agreement is closely aligned with the United States’ new global health strategy, which prioritizes national ownership and leadership in health initiatives. Mambe explained that the partnership encourages countries to mobilize domestic resources while collaborating with international partners to address critical health challenges. He emphasized that the approach is not only about receiving aid but about integrating support into national systems to ensure long-term effectiveness.
Part of the funding will be dedicated to bolstering Ivory Coast’s preparedness for epidemics by integrating U.S.-supported health programs directly into the national health system. Government officials noted that this integration is intended to create sustainable, well-coordinated public health services that can respond efficiently to outbreaks and other health emergencies. By embedding external support within domestic structures, the government aims to avoid fragmentation and improve overall coordination across hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities.
U.S. Ambassador to Ivory Coast, Jessica Davis Ba, stressed the broader vision of the partnership, emphasizing the need for long-term cooperation rather than short-term assistance. She noted that progress in healthcare must go hand in hand with investments in energy, infrastructure, and other sectors, framing the collaboration as a comprehensive effort to support development in the country. Ambassador Davis Ba highlighted that sustainable health improvements require more than disease-specific programs—they require strong systems and multi-sectoral coordination to address underlying social and economic factors affecting health outcomes.
Ivory Coast’s Minister of Health, Pierre Demba, remarked that the agreement represents a shift toward greater national leadership in managing health funding and programs. He explained that the government plans to gradually assume responsibility for external funding, ensuring that international support complements rather than overrides national priorities. Demba emphasized that this approach strengthens the country’s capacity to plan, execute, and sustain health initiatives while maintaining accountability to both citizens and international partners.
The agreement is expected to have a transformative impact on Ivory Coast’s health sector over the next five years, with a particular focus on HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. In the case of HIV/AIDS, the country reported an estimated 420,000 people living with the virus last year, underscoring the need for expanded prevention, testing, and treatment services. Health officials believe that the agreement will not only improve disease-specific outcomes but also enhance the overall resilience of the health system, enabling it to respond effectively to current and future public health challenges.
By strengthening coordination between national and international programs, investing in sustainable healthcare infrastructure, and building local capacity, the partnership between Ivory Coast and the United States represents a major step toward achieving long-term improvements in the country’s public health landscape. The collaboration is expected to serve as a model for other countries seeking to balance domestic ownership of health initiatives with the benefits of international expertise and funding.