Liberia Becomes First in West Africa and Third in Africa to Enter Agreement
The Government of Liberia has entered a landmark bilateral health cooperation agreement with the United States Government, marking a major boost to the country’s health security and systems capacity. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), valued at US$124.4 million, was signed in Washington, D.C., between Liberia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sara Beysolow Nyanti, and Jeremy P. Lewin, the U.S. State Department’s Under Secretary for Foreign Assistance, Humanitarian Affairs, and Religious Freedom.
The agreement makes Liberia the first country in West Africa, and only the third in Africa, after Kenya and Rwanda, to sign this category of health-focused bilateral MOU with the United States. The State Department, which now oversees all U.S. foreign assistance programs, will lead the implementation of the partnership.
Speaking at the ceremony, Under Secretary Lewin described the MOU as a milestone in the longstanding relationship between the two nations. He emphasized that the government-to-government arrangement reflects “a deepening of bilateral ties and Liberia’s strong commitment to health security, innovation in disease response, and long-term systems resilience.”
Foreign Minister Nyanti, representing President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., expressed Liberia’s profound gratitude for the partnership.
“On behalf of His Excellency President Boakai and the people of Liberia, we extend deep appreciation to the Government and people of the United States for this historic collaboration,” she stated. She also acknowledged the role of Health Minister Dr. Louise Kpoto and her team for their extensive technical work in finalizing the agreement.
The five-year cooperation framework outlines US$124,418,400 in planned U.S. support to strengthen Liberia’s health sector. Key areas of investment include:
Expanded national disease surveillance and rapid outbreak response Strengthening laboratory systems at national and regional levels Modernization of supply chains for medicines and essential health commodities Recruitment, deployment, and capacity-building of frontline health workers Development of integrated digital health information systems Targeted improvements in maternal, child, and infectious disease services
The agreement is expected to significantly enhance Liberia’s preparedness and response capabilities, while supporting long-term improvements in public health outcomes nationwide.
