HARARE – The United States has officially suspended all foreign aid to Zimbabwe, which was funded by the State Department and USAID, following an executive order issued by President Donald Trump.
The move is part of Trump’s broader “America First” policy, aimed at reassessing and realigning U.S. foreign assistance. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has initiated a comprehensive review of all aid programs to determine their efficiency and alignment with American interests.
“He is initiating a review of all foreign assistance programs to ensure they are efficient and consistent with U.S. foreign policy under the America First agenda,” read a statement from the U.S. Embassy in Harare.
A Blow to Zimbabwe’s Health and Development Programs
The suspension will immediately impact Zimbabwe’s critical development and humanitarian programs, including health, education, and economic assistance projects. According to the U.S. Embassy, no funding will be released unless explicitly approved through a waiver by the Secretary of State.
One of the most affected areas is Zimbabwe’s HIV/AIDS response. For years, Zimbabwe has relied heavily on support from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which has provided more than $1.7 billion since 2006 to strengthen the country’s health system and support people living with HIV. The U.S. government contributes over $200 million annually to HIV/AIDS programs in Zimbabwe.
Despite significant progress, the embassy urged the Zimbabwean government to take full responsibility for sustaining these health initiatives.
“For HIV, Zimbabwe has hit the 95/95/95 targets. They urgently need to be focused on buying ART [antiretroviral therapy] and getting nurses in clinics,” the statement emphasised.
Geopolitical Implications and Uncertainty
The decision comes amid heightened global uncertainty over U.S. foreign aid policies, especially concerning Africa. President Trump’s administration has cut billions in assistance to developing nations and taken a hard stance on aid effectiveness.
Analysts warn that the sudden halt in funding could destabilize Zimbabwe’s already fragile healthcare sector, which is still recovering from economic turbulence and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the Zimbabwean government has not yet issued an official response, the suspension pressures authorities to find alternative funding sources or risk severe disruptions in essential services.
As the Trump administration continues its aggressive reevaluation of foreign aid, Zimbabwe and other affected nations may be forced to seek new partnerships to fill the funding gap left by Washington.
