Washington, D.C. — The United States government has announced plans to phase out funding for HIV and AIDS programmes in South Africa, citing concerns over the country’s policies and its alleged treatment of the white-minority Afrikaner community.
The decision marks a significant shift in US-South Africa relations and could affect one of the world’s largest HIV treatment and prevention efforts.
South Africa is home to more than eight million people living with HIV, the highest number of any country globally.
For years, the US supported South Africa’s HIV response through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), contributing an estimated $400 million annually.
The programme accounted for roughly one-fifth of South Africa’s total HIV-related spending.
A US State Department official confirmed that a “phased drawdown” of PEPFAR funding would begin, citing South Africa’s failure to make sufficient progress on policy requests made by the Trump administration.
The official said the move was intended to encourage self-reliance and reduce dependence on American aid, noting that South Africa is a middle-income country capable of financing its own health programmes.
The funding withdrawal follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump shortly after returning to office.
The order accused South Africa of implementing policies that undermine equal opportunities and contribute to violence against white landowners.
The administration has also repeatedly raised concerns about what Trump has described as persecution of Afrikaners.
South Africa has strongly rejected these allegations.
The government argues that its Black Economic Empowerment policies are designed to address long-standing economic inequalities created during the apartheid era.
Officials have also dismissed claims of a so-called “white genocide” as unfounded.
In response to the latest US announcement, South Africa’s Health Ministry said it had not yet received official notification but emphasized that it had already been developing plans to reduce reliance on foreign funding.
The ministry added that the country’s supply of life-saving antiretroviral medicines is primarily funded by the South African government and would not be directly affected by the withdrawal of PEPFAR support.
Relations between Washington and Pretoria have deteriorated in recent years over a range of issues, including South Africa’s legal case against Israel at the International Court of Justice and its diplomatic ties with Iran.
Efforts to repair the relationship have faced challenges, including a tense White House meeting between President Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, during which Trump publicly raised concerns about the treatment of white South Africans.
Analysts say the reduction in US funding could place additional pressure on South Africa’s public health system, particularly programmes focused on HIV prevention, testing, and community outreach.
However, government officials insist that the country remains committed to maintaining essential treatment services for millions of citizens living with HIV.
The phased withdrawal of funding is expected to begin in the coming months.
US ends funding for South Africa’s HIV programmes amid diplomatic tensions
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