US Inks $480m Trump Ivory Coast Health Aid 2025 Deal Amid USAID Overhaul

It's a massive payout with a transactional twist. The administration of US President Donald Trump has signed a deal committing $480m in public health aid to the Ivory Coast. The agreement, signed in Abidjan on Tuesday, marks a pivotal shift in how Washington handles international development, moving away from multilateral agencies toward direct, bilateral contracts.

Inside the Trump Ivory Coast Health Aid 2025 Strategy

This deal is the largest among a dozen arrangements reached under the America First Global Health Strategy. It comes on the heels of major cuts to the US Agency for International Development (USAID), which the administration has criticized as inefficient. US Ambassador Jessica Davis Ba stated that the move signals a transition toward a model focused on "trade, innovation, and shared prosperity."

As part of the pact, the Ivory Coast has pledged to increase its own health funding to $292m by 2030. The White House argues this approach ensures greater accountability and pushes partner nations toward eventual self-sufficiency, rather than indefinite reliance on American taxpayers.

Experts Warn of 'Transactional' Risks

While the funding is substantial, public health experts are sounding the alarm. An analysis by the Center for Global Development suggests that this reconfigured approach carries "tremendous risks." They worry that essential services—such as HIV treatment and malaria prevention—could be compromised if priorities are shaped by political leverage rather than medical need.

• Risk of service disruption in countries with unstable governments
• Potential spikes in infectious diseases due to dismantled regional programs
• Lack of clarity on oversight for direct government-to-government aid