Focus on Africa US health deal sparks debate in Africa
Mar 3, 2026
Desta Lako, Group Director of Partnerships and External Affairs at Amref Health Africa, offers a short, sharp take on the US bilateral health agreements and their stakes for African health sovereignty. She discusses data sovereignty risks, how the new funding model differs from past aid, and why some countries accepted while others resisted. The conversation also touches on AI sign-language tech and hearing loss challenges in Africa.
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Transactional Health Aid Threatens Sovereignty
- The US deal redirects funds straight to African governments but ties disbursements to specific milestones and concessions.
- Desta Lako warns this transactional model can undermine sovereignty by demanding data, minerals, or policy priorities in exchange for funding.
Health Data Treated As A Strategic Asset
- Health data is framed as an asset the US may seek in exchange for support, raising fears of unequal exchange.
- Desta Lako describes health data as "the new oil" and warns Africa could hand over assets without reciprocal access to resulting innovations.
Align Regionally Before Accepting Deals
- African countries should align regionally on priorities to protect sovereignty and negotiate better health strategies.
- Desta Lako urges continental alignment to ensure health strategies serve local and regional needs first, not external agendas.