US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and Mozambican Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Maria Manuela dos Santos Lucas, signed on Monday, December 15, in Washington, a five-year bilateral cooperation memorandum in the health sector.
The document was signed during the Mozambican minister’s two-day visit to the United States. According to a statement released by the Mozambican News Agency, the minister was accompanied by Health Minister Ussene Isse, Mozambique’s ambassador to the U.S., Alfredo Nuvunga, and other government officials.
The U.S. Department of State intends to provide up to $1.8 billion to expand cutting-edge solutions, such as the drug lenacapavir for HIV/AIDS prevention, and to advance malaria prevention efforts.
Through the memorandum, Mozambique, in turn, commits to increasing its domestic health spending by nearly 30% of the government budget over the next five years. “These resources will be used to improve maternal, neonatal, and child health, as well as to intensify national efforts to eliminate vertical transmission of HIV/AIDS.”
“This signing reinforces the shared commitment to make Mozambique’s health system durable, resilient, and an effective tool to protect both Americans and Mozambicans. The Department of State continues to achieve milestones under the America First Global Health Strategy and drive critical advances in global health, demonstrating the impact of American innovation and leadership on global health security,” the statement reads.
Recently, President Daniel Chapo met at the White House with U.S. Vice President JD Vance to consolidate the partnership between the two countries and strengthen technical and scientific cooperation.
“The meeting took place in the context of both countries seeking to build a modern, forward-looking partnership focused on sustainable growth, innovation, and the well-being of their peoples. Bilateral relations were also strengthened, with focus on energy, infrastructure, security, education, tourism, digital transition, and agriculture,” stated a Presidential Office release reported by Lusa.
During the discussions, the leaders addressed common interests, including increasing trade, U.S. investment in strategic sectors of Mozambique’s economy, and the country’s role in promoting peace, maritime security, and sustainable development in Africa.
The Presidency also noted that the meeting “highlighted the commitment of both parties to strengthen cooperation based on transparency, mutual trust, and shared benefits, creating conditions for a favorable investment environment and knowledge transfer.”
