Zambia Demands U.S. Health Deal Be Decoupled From Critical Minerals Access

Zambia’s government has drawn a firm line in negotiations with the United States, insisting that any health cooperation agreement must be treated independently from Washington’s demands for access to Zambian copper and cobalt—key minerals used in electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy infrastructure.

Speaking at a press conference in Lusaka on Monday, Zambia’s Minister of Health emphasized that the health of the Zambian people cannot be a “bargaining chip” in mineral extraction negotiations. The comments came amid reports that U.S. officials had sought to link a proposed package of medical equipment, pharmaceutical supply chain support, and disease surveillance infrastructure to broader bilateral investment guarantees covering Zambia’s mining sector.

“We value the partnership with the United States in health, and we value the partnership in mining. But these are separate conversations,” the minister said. “You cannot tell a mother in a rural clinic that she cannot access medicine because of what is happening in a boardroom in Washington.”

Zambia has one of the world’s highest rates of childhood stunting and faces ongoing challenges from malaria, tuberculosis, and emerging non-communicable diseases. Its public health system relies heavily on international donor support, with the United States being one of the largest bilateral partners through PEPFAR and other programs.

The minerals-for-health linkage, if implemented, would represent a significant shift in how development assistance is structured on the continent. Critics have long accused wealthy nations of engaging in “neocolonial” resource diplomacy, using aid and investment as leverage to secure access to Africa’s natural wealth.

Zambia’s position has won broad domestic support and praise from civil society organizations. The Minerals Council of Zambia, an industry body representing mining companies, also backed the government’s stance, arguing that mixing health and mining dossiers undermines investor confidence.

The African Union’s representative for health affairs offered a statement of support for Zambia, calling on all external partners to respect the sovereignty of African nations in setting the terms of development cooperation.

Negotiations are expected to continue over the coming months, with both sides indicating a desire to reach a comprehensive agreement before the G20 summit in Johannesburg later this year.