The United States and Burkina Faso on Wednesday signed a five-year bilateral memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening health security and improving the West African country’s capacity to prevent and respond to infectious disease outbreaks, officials said.
The agreement, announced by the U.S. State Department, establishes a framework for cooperation on public health infrastructure, disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, and the training of healthcare personnel. It also emphasizes data sharing to enable rapid detection and containment of epidemics.
“This partnership demonstrates our shared commitment to health security and disease prevention in Africa,” the U.S. statement said. “By combining expertise and resources, we aim to support Burkina Faso in building a more resilient public health system capable of responding effectively to outbreaks.”
Burkina Faso, a landlocked nation of more than 22 million people, faces recurring health crises, including outbreaks of cholera, meningitis, and other infectious diseases. Limited healthcare infrastructure in rural areas and disruptions from political instability, including multiple coups in recent years, have complicated efforts to manage epidemics.
Under the memorandum, both countries will collaborate on expanding laboratory capacity, enhancing early warning systems, and strengthening emergency response mechanisms. The initiative also seeks to train health professionals in epidemiology, outbreak response, and disease prevention, with a focus on rural and hard-to-reach regions. Funding levels and operational specifics were not immediately disclosed.
Experts said the move reflects a broader U.S. strategy to build regional health resilience in Africa, complementing programs such as the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Global Health Security Agenda, and ongoing pandemic preparedness initiatives.
“Partnerships like this are critical in countries that are prone to epidemics,” said Dr. Awa Traoré, a West African public health specialist. “They not only provide technical support but also strengthen governance and coordination, which are essential for effective disease prevention and response.”
The memorandum also aligns with regional health priorities, including the African Union’s Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), which coordinates cross-border epidemic response and builds laboratory and surveillance capacity across the continent.
Burkina Faso’s health minister, in a separate statement, welcomed the collaboration, emphasizing that international support is vital for maintaining public health programs amid ongoing challenges. “This agreement will help us protect our population and enhance our ability to respond quickly to health emergencies, particularly in rural communities,” the minister said.
The partnership comes at a time when Africa faces multiple public health threats. While progress has been made in combating diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, and polio, new threats including monkeypox, avian influenza, and the risk of emerging pathogens underscore the need for sustained investment in disease monitoring and response capacity.
Analysts said the memorandum also serves broader geopolitical and strategic purposes. By engaging in health initiatives, the United States strengthens diplomatic ties and fosters goodwill in a region where public health stability is closely linked to economic and social resilience.
“This is about more than just money or equipment,” said Peter Mulenga, an Africa-focused health policy analyst. “It’s about building the institutional capacity and expertise that can save lives and prevent local outbreaks from becoming regional crises.”
The five-year memorandum is expected to facilitate the transfer of technology, technical expertise, and knowledge, positioning Burkina Faso as a more capable partner in regional health security efforts. Officials said future cooperation may also include support for vaccination campaigns, digital disease surveillance, and strengthening emergency medical logistics.
