Story perspectives

Zambia splits critical minerals pact from $2.5B health deal

By Drooid · Oct 9, 2026, 11:10 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Zambia's Foreign Minister Mulambo Haimbe split the critical minerals pact from the U.S. health aid agreement.
The health memorandum provides $1.5 billion from the United States and $975 million from Zambia.
The five-year health deal totals about $2.5 billion in new funding.
U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Mich Coker said the health MoU contains no mineral or commercial clauses.
Negotiations on the separate critical minerals framework continue without disclosed details.

History

Historical Context

Since diplomatic ties began in 1964, the United States has provided health aid to Zambia, notably $116 million for HIV/AIDS via PEPFAR in 2007 and a $1.9 billion five-year package announced in 2020. The 2024 move by Zambian Foreign Minister Mulambo Haimbe to split a critical-minerals framework from a health memorandum signals a shift from the previously bundled aid-resource agreements.

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Story summary

Zambia's Foreign Minister Mulambo Haimbe split the critical minerals pact from the U.S. health aid agreement.
The health memorandum provides $1.5 billion from the United States and $975 million from Zambia.
The five-year health deal totals about $2.5 billion in new funding.
U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Mich Coker said the health MoU contains no mineral or commercial clauses.
Negotiations on the separate critical minerals framework continue without disclosed details.

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