Tanzania and the United States of America have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) worth more than 3.14 billion US dollars aimed at strengthening the health sector, marking a significant milestone in bilateral cooperation focused on improving healthcare delivery, financing, and long-term sustainability.
The agreement will be implemented from 2026 to 2030, with the United States committing about 1.34 billion US dollars, while Tanzania will contribute more than 1.8 billion US dollars over the same period.
The combined investment is expected to support key priorities in the health sector, including strengthening health systems, improving access to essential medicines, enhancing laboratory services, developing human resources for health, and boosting disease prevention programmes.
The signing ceremony took place in Dar es Salaam on July 1, 2026, bringing together senior government officials and development partners.
The MoU is seen as a strategic framework designed to ensure continuity of essential health services while gradually increasing domestic financing for the sector.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Minister of Health, Mohamed Omary Mchengerwa, said the agreement represents a new phase of cooperation built on equality, accountability, and sustainability rather than long-term dependency on external support.
He said the arrangement reflects Tanzania’s commitment to strengthen its health financing systems and increase domestic investment in critical services such as salaries for health workers, procurement of medicines, laboratory operations, and other essential health needs.
According to him, the goal is that by 2030, Tanzania will be able to shoulder a greater share of its health sector costs, in line with the government’s broader vision of self-reliance and sustainable development.
Minister Mchengerwa also expressed appreciation to the Government and people of the United States for their long-standing support in improving health services in Tanzania over the past decades, particularly through major global health initiatives such as the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which has played a key role in combating HIV and AIDS and strengthening public health systems.
Officials from both sides noted that the MoU will help consolidate gains made in the health sector while building resilience to future public health challenges, ensuring that quality and accessible healthcare services continue to reach more Tanzanians across the country.
