By Michael Gwarisa
A coalition of civil society organisations in Zambia has called on the government to immediately publish the details of a health financing agreement signed with the United States Government, raising concerns over transparency and possible links between health assistance and the country’s mineral resources.
The coalition, which includes ActionAid Zambia, Publish What You Pay Zambia, Oxfam, Fight Inequality Alliance and the Zambia Alliance for Women, issued the call in a statement dated 30 October 2026.
The organisations said the agreement, signed between Zambia and the United States on 8 October, provides approximately US$1.5 billion in health assistance over a five-year period.
According to the coalition, the agreement follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two governments in March 2026. The MoU reportedly provided for US$1.5 billion worth of health assistance over five years in exchange for access to patient data, specimen sharing and other areas of cooperation, including artificial intelligence data centres, defence technology, energy transition and related infrastructure.
The organisations said the leaked MoU prompted widespread public concern over the potential transfer of sensitive health information, natural resources and other national interests.
They are particularly concerned about the relationship between the health financing agreement and a separate critical minerals deal reportedly being negotiated between Zambia and the United States.
The coalition said the government must clarify whether the health financing agreement is connected in any way to mineral access, concessions or other commitments.
“Civil Society is concerned that the absence of public disclosure heightens risks of weakened regulation, reduced public revenues, and negative impacts on mining-affected communities and the environment,” the organisations said.
The call for disclosure comes amid broader concerns about public access to information and government accountability.
The organisations noted that Zambia is a committed implementing country of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative and has previously undertaken to disclose contracts and licences in the mining sector where applicable.
They argued that the government’s approach to the health financing agreement should similarly reflect principles of transparency, public participation and accountability.
The coalition also cited provisions of Zambia’s Constitution protecting freedom of information and participation in public affairs, as well as the Access to Information Act No. 24 of 2023 and related 2025 guidelines and regulations.
The groups said the government should publish the agreement in full, while providing a clear explanation for any information that may legitimately need to be withheld.
They further called for any separate minerals agreement between Zambia and the US to be negotiated transparently, with meaningful public and parliamentary consultation before it is concluded.
The coalition also wants the government to ensure that health assistance remains unconditional and is not exchanged for mineral access or unrelated concessions.
It is additionally demanding that the government adopt and report against a government-wide compliance plan for the Access to Information Act and its regulations.
The plan, it said, should include proactive publication of government information, proper records management, response timelines and clear responsibility for compliance.
The organisations said greater transparency would help restore public confidence and allow citizens to understand the commitments being made on their behalf.
They stressed that the concern is not with health assistance itself, but with the need for openness around an agreement involving significant public resources and potential implications for Zambia’s health system, natural resources and national interests.
The coalition therefore urged the government to publish the agreement and restore public confidence by providing citizens with sufficient information to assess its terms and implications.
