The Governments of Tanzania and the United States of America have signed a major five-year health cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening health services, boosting investment, and improving the wellbeing of citizens across Tanzania.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed in Dar es Salaam on 1st July 2026, will run from 2026 to 2030 and is expected to mobilise more than USD 3.1 billion in combined investment in the country’s health sector.
Under the agreement, the United States will invest about USD 1.34 billion, while Tanzania will contribute over USD 1.8 billion from domestic resources.
The partnership is designed to strengthen health systems, improve service delivery, expand infrastructure, and ensure better access to quality healthcare for all Tanzanians.
The agreement was signed on behalf of Tanzania by the Minister of Health, Hon. Mohammed Mchengerwa (MP), while the United States was represented by Ms. Jeanne Clark, Acting Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam.
Officials from both sides said the agreement reflects a new phase of cooperation built on shared responsibility, mutual respect, and long-term sustainability, rather than traditional donor–recipient relations.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Minister Mchengerwa said the agreement supports Tanzania’s vision of building a strong, self-reliant and modern health system that can serve all citizens effectively.
He said the government will continue increasing domestic financing for health services, including paying health workers, improving availability of essential medicines, and strengthening laboratories and health facilities across the country.
He added that by 2030, Tanzania is expected to take a bigger role in financing and managing its own health programmes as part of the national self-reliance agenda.
On her part, Ms. Jeanne Clark said the United States remains committed to supporting Tanzania’s health sector and will work closely with the government to ensure effective implementation of the agreement.
She said both countries will now develop a detailed implementation plan outlining priority areas such as health security, innovation, service delivery, and sustainable financing.
The agreement also focuses on strengthening the Medical Stores Department (MSD) to improve the supply and distribution of medicines and medical supplies across the country.
In addition, the partnership will support Tanzania’s efforts to grow its pharmaceutical and medical manufacturing sector, including the development of the Mloganzila Special Economic Zone for medical products.
The initiative is expected to boost local production of medicines, vaccines, and diagnostic tools while creating jobs and reducing dependence on imports.
Officials said the deal will also connect Tanzania with global pharmaceutical companies, logistics providers, and technology partners to strengthen the health supply chain and improve efficiency.
The agreement further supports Tanzania’s efforts to improve medical research capacity, laboratory systems, and preparedness for public health emergencies.
It also ensures that biological samples of national importance will continue to be managed within Tanzania under national laws and safety standards.
Government officials noted that priority will be given to Tanzanian experts and institutions in implementing health programmes, helping to build local skills and create employment opportunities.
The Ministry of Health said the partnership builds on long-standing cooperation between the two countries, including past support through programmes such as PEPFAR, which has helped save many lives in Tanzania over the past years.
Both governments described the agreement as a major step forward in strengthening health services, improving access to care, and building a more resilient health system for the future.
They said the focus now is on ensuring that the agreement is effectively implemented so that citizens across the country can directly benefit from improved health services and stronger national systems.
