Seven African countries featured among the world's top 10 recipients of United States foreign aid in the 2025 financial year, highlighting the scale of humanitarian and development challenges facing the continent. Ethiopia emerged as Africa's largest recipient, drawing $920 million in US assistance. The Democratic Republic of Congo followed with $750 million, while Nigeria and Sudan received $730 million and $709 million respectively. Kenya, Mozambique, and Uganda completed the African bloc in the global top 10.
According to Business Insider Africa, Kenya received $655 million, Mozambique $584 million, and Uganda $513 million in US foreign aid for 2025. The disbursements were overwhelmingly classified as nonmilitary assistance, with funds channelled primarily towards addressing food insecurity, supporting refugee management, and building out healthcare infrastructure across recipient nations.
The bulk of US aid to African countries was directed at combating food insecurity, managing refugee crises, and strengthening healthcare systems. Kenya has maintained a long-standing relationship with US health funding, with American assistance playing a significant role in the country's HIV/AIDS response through programmes such as PEPFAR, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
Across the broader continent, US health deals have underpinned major public health gains. In countries such as Ethiopia and the DRC, American-funded programmes have targeted malaria, tuberculosis, and nutrition interventions alongside emergency food relief, particularly in conflict-affected and drought-prone areas.
Sudan's inclusion in the top four reflects the intensifying humanitarian crisis driven by the civil conflict that has displaced millions and strained access to basic services since fighting escalated in 2023. The crisis has had a significant impact on the country's economy and human development.
The US government has historically been one of the largest external funders of Kenya's health sector, supporting antiretroviral treatment access, maternal health services, and disease surveillance systems. This support has contributed significantly to the country's healthcare outcomes and has helped to reduce the burden of diseases.
In other news, Egypt accounts for nearly one-fifth of the continent’s total IMF credit, which reached SDR 39.9 billion in September 2026. Kenya ranks fourth with SDR 2.85 billion in outstanding credit. This comes amid Senegal’s talks for a new IMF programme, highlighting the significance of international financial institutions in supporting African countries' economic development.
Key points
- Ethiopia received the highest US foreign aid in Africa, with $920 million in 2025.
- Seven African countries featured among the world's top 10 recipients of US foreign aid in 2025.
- The bulk of US aid to African countries was directed at combating food insecurity, managing refugee crises, and strengthening healthcare systems.
