The U.S. will phase out its annual HIV support for Namibia over the next year.
Why it matters: The cut affects a major public-health program in a country that has relied on U.S. help for years. It could test treatment continuity, donor credibility and how quickly Namibia can absorb HIV services into its health system.
- The support being phased out is about $45 million a year, according to AP.
- The U.S. says it has contributed more than $1.1 billion to Namibia's HIV response since 2003.
- The transition will take place over one year, with U.S. support shifting from financial aid to technical cooperation.
- The joint statement says Namibia has hit UNAIDS targets, including 96% status awareness, 98% treatment coverage and 98% viral suppression among those treated.
The United States will start phasing out its financial support for Namibia's HIV response programs, AP reported, citing a joint statement from the two countries. The assistance has been worth about $45 million annually in recent years through PEPFAR, and the U.S. says it has put more than $1.1 billion into Namibia's HIV response since 2003. AP report
Under the plan, the reduction will be phased in over the next year. U.S. support will move from financial assistance to technical cooperation as Namibia integrates HIV programs into its national health system, Xinhua reported. Xinhua report
The joint statement says Namibia has exceeded UNAIDS targets, citing 96% of people living with HIV knowing their status, 98% of diagnosed people receiving treatment and 98% of those treated achieving viral suppression. That benchmark appears to be the basis for the transition away from direct funding. AP report
The move comes after UNAIDS said earlier in 2025 that U.S. funding interruptions in Namibia had already affected community-based prevention services, key-population services, community health worker programs and condom availability. UNAIDS also said implementing partners had issued staff termination letters and that data quality and collation were being compromised by the freeze. UNAIDS March feature
By the numbers
- $45 million - Annual U.S. support for Namibia's HIV response, per AP.
- More than $1.1 billion - U.S. contributions to Namibia's HIV response since 2003, according to AP.
- 96%-98%-98% - Namibia's reported HIV cascade figures in the joint statement.
Yes, but: The announcement is a phased transition, not an immediate cutoff, and the dossier does not include the full joint statement or direct official comment from either government.
What's next: The transition is expected to unfold over the next year as support shifts to technical cooperation.