Zambia has said a proposed U.S. health funding agreement must be separated from negotiations over access to critical minerals, highlighting growing tensions over the structure of bilateral deals. The position, outlined by Foreign Minister Mulambo Haimbe in May 2026, comes as talks between Lusaka and Washington remain stalled, as reported by Reuters.
The United States had offered up to $2 billion in health support over five years, aimed at tackling HIV, malaria, and broader public health challenges. However, Zambian officials raised concerns over provisions requiring data sharing, warning they could infringe on citizens’ privacy rights and national sovereignty, as detailed by Reuters and Business Insider Africa.
A central sticking point is Washington’s reported attempt to link the health agreement to a separate critical minerals deal. Zambia, one of Africa’s key copper producers, has objected to terms that could grant preferential treatment to U.S. companies and make progress on the health pact conditional on mineral access, according to statements cited by Reuters.
Zambian authorities insist both agreements should be negotiated independently “on their own merits,” reflecting a broader push among African countries to protect strategic resources and policy autonomy. Analysts say the dispute underscores increasing geopolitical competition over Africa’s minerals, particularly as global powers seek to secure supply chains for energy transition materials.
