Trump’s USAID closure shocks Africa, sparks fears over health and education aid
The decision by former U.S. President Donald Trump to shut down the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has sent shockwaves across many countries, particularly in Africa, where millions rely on the agency’s health and education programs.
The sudden halt in billions of dollars in global funding for U.S.-led initiatives has sparked concerns that the move could reverse progress in the fight against malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS. In Nigeria, where USAID has played a significant role in health interventions, the impact is expected to be severe, particularly for the 28,000 Nigerian health workers who were previously funded under the program.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Hard Copy program, Prof. Ali Pate, Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, addressed the country’s preparedness to handle the aid cut. He emphasized the urgent need for alternative funding sources to sustain essential health services.
Beyond Nigeria, many African nations have expressed concerns about how the closure of USAID will affect ongoing health and education programs that have significantly improved public health systems and literacy rates. Global discussions continue on the long-term consequences of Trump’s decision and whether international organizations or other donor countries will step in to fill the funding gap.
