U.S. cuts $50m in medical aid to Zambia over 'systemic theft'
The United States Embassy in Zambia has announced it will cut $50 million in annual funding for medications and medical supplies to Zambia, citing persistent theft and inadequate government response.
Speaking at a press briefing, the U.S. Ambassador to Zambia, Michael Gonzales, stated that, “For more than a year, the United States has requested tangible action by the Government of Zambia to respond to the country-wide, systematic theft of these products. In the face of minimal responsive action by the government, the United States is taking necessary steps to safeguard and ensure the accountability of American taxpayer funds.”
The aid cut affects a portion of the approximately $128 million the U.S. provides annually for medical procurement and health supply chain support in Zambia. These supplies are intended for free distribution to patients through public healthcare facilities.
According to the U.S. Embassy, an investigation between 2021 and 2023 found that 95% of the 2,000 private pharmacies visited across Zambia were selling stolen medical goods. Nearly half were selling products directly donated by the U.S. government. The remainder involved supplies funded by the Zambian government, the Global Fund, and other international partners.
Despite repeated alerts to Zambian authorities, including a formal briefing to senior government officials in April 2024, the U.S. says the response has been inadequate. While some low and mid-level arrests have occurred, there has been no substantial action taken to identify or prosecute high-level actors behind the thefts.
Gonzales emphasised that the U.S. had offered technical and law enforcement support to assist Zambia’s efforts to safeguard medical aid but saw “little tangible action” in return.
“This reduction is not connected to the broader review of U.S. foreign assistance funding,” the ambassador clarified, referencing the ongoing Trump Administration-led aid review. “This decision is solely the result of Zambia’s failure to address the theft of U.S.-donated medical supplies.”
The funding reduction will be phased in, with full procurement continuing through January 2026 to give the Zambian government time to develop a transition plan and prevent stock-outs. After that, the U.S. will provide only technical and logistical support for humanitarian efforts.
The United States remains one of Zambia’s largest donors, contributing roughly $600 million annually, including significant investments in health, playing a major role in helping Zambia reach HIV epidemic control, with over 1.3 million people living with HIV now on treatment and 98% of those achieving viral suppression.
