Freetown, Sierra Leone – December 22, 2025: The governments of Sierra Leone and the United States have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Health Cooperation, marking a significant milestone in their long-standing partnership to strengthen Sierra Leone’s health infrastructure and protect populations from infectious disease threats.
The five-year agreement (2026–2030), signed on December 22 in Freetown, commits over USD 129 million in U.S. government support, alongside increasing domestic co-investment by Sierra Leone, to deliver measurable and sustainable health outcomes nationwide.
Sierra Leone is described in the agreement as one of the first few countries in Africa to undertake this MOU with the U.S. Government.
The signing ceremony involved the Honourable Minister of Health of Sierra Leone and the Chargé d’Affaires of the United States Embassy in Freetown.
The MOU sets ambitious, time-bound targets, including:
– Dramatically reducing deaths from HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and measles
– Lowering maternal and under-five mortality rates
– Achieving near-universal HIV testing, treatment, and viral suppression
– Strengthening outbreak detection and response within seven days of emergence
This initiative will complement Sierra Leone’s efforts to increase domestic financing for health workers, laboratory staff, and community health workers, integrating them into the national payroll. It will also enhance the National Medical Supplies Agency and scale digital health surveillance systems, such as DHIS2, electronic medical records, and outbreak response platforms.
“This agreement reflects Sierra Leone’s strong leadership and commitment to building a resilient, self-reliant health system,” the Honourable Minister of Health stated in the press release. “It is not just about funding, if it is about alignment, acceleration, and accountability, in delivering real results for the people of Sierra Leone.”
The partnership prioritizes health security, primary health care, and domestic health financing reform, while respecting Sierra Leone’s data sovereignty, regulatory authority, and national development priorities. A Joint Health Cooperation Steering Committee will oversee implementation, monitor progress, and ensure transparency and accountability.
The U.S. Government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Sierra Leone’s vision of Human Capital Development with a durable health system that prevents disease, saves lives, and enables economic growth, while advancing global and regional health security.
This MOU builds on more than five decades of collaboration between Sierra Leone and the United States, representing a shared commitment to protecting lives today while investing in a healthier, more secure future for generations to come.
