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12 Biggest African Recipients Of Foreign Aid From The United States

12 Biggest African Recipients Of Foreign Aid From The United States

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The United States provides foreign aid that benefits numerous African recipients, with over $43 billion of total obligations going to 222 countries around the world in 2015.

Much of this goes to assisting countries in sub-Saharan and North Africa, with USAID funding countless programs for the good of people within those nations.

The aid goes towards assisting with basic health, education, conflict prevention, emergency response, agriculture and other important issues that require financial resources to address.

We take a look at the 12 biggest African recipients of foreign aid from the United States.

Sources: USAID, VenturesAfrica, AllAfrica.

Deforestation and drought in Somalia has been a contributor to famine. Photo: Wikipedia

Somalia – $255 million

Somalia is the 12th biggest African recipient of foreign aid, with just over a quarter of a billion dollars going to the country. The vast majority of funds dedicated to Somalia have gone to emergency response efforts, with $179 million of the 255 million spent on emergency response.

Farmers in Mozambique received U.S. foreign aid support. Photo: technoserve.org

Mozambique – $339 million

The former Portuguese colony received $339 million in foreign aid during 2015, with most of that dedicated to obligations that were related to basic and reproductive health, with AIDS and malaria projects favored, while agriculture activities were also supported.

African governments commit to affordable internet
Basic education is one of the ways that US foreign aid benefits countries like South Africa. Photo: rekordcenturion

South Africa – $362 million

In South Africa the bulk of U.S. foreign aid that was made available in 2015 was dedicated to healthcare issues, with HIV-AIDS and tuberculosis treatment and support receiving particular focus. Basic education and trade policy and regulations also received some funding.

Congolese protesters gather at an anti-government rally held by the opposition Union for Democracy and Social Progress in the capital, Kinshasa, July 9, 2005. Photo: Reuters

The Democratic Republic of Congo – $467 million

Efforts to assist refugees in the country formed an important part of U.S. foreign aid obligations in the Democratic Republic of Congo during 2015, with around $43 million alone pledged to the country through the implementing partner, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Basic education, healthcare and emergency response also received attention in the country.

Power Africa
A 500 watt solar system in a rural village in Uganda powers a home. Photo by: Sameer Halai / SunFunder / USAID

Uganda – $591 million

Another of the East African countries on this list, Uganda was a recipient of around $591 million in foreign aid from the U.S., with healthcare activities featuring prominently on the list of obligations, including efforts to assist with care for those afflicted with AIDS and malaria, while sustainable energy is another of the focus points for USAID in Uganda.

mobile Tanzania
Cloudburst Group is working with USAID in Tanzania to design and implement a mobile pilot that documents land rights. Photo: cloudburstgroup.com

Tanzania – $592 million

The sectors positively impacted by U.S. foreign aid in Tanzania include basic health, agriculture, emergency response and population policies, with almost $600 million set aside to assist the East African nation on numerous fronts.

U.S. foreign aid helps to light up Nigeria through sustainable means. Image: usaid.gov

Nigeria – $592 million

Heathcare-related activities were top of the pile for Nigeria in terms of foreign aid, with projects to combat AIDS and malaria, as well as improve maternal and child survival rates in Nigeria received the most funding for the U.S. Other key initiatives include basic education and sustainable energy.

cost of Ebola
Health worker Alivin Davis touches a board of handprints of Ebola survivors in Liberia. Photo: Neil Brandvold / USAID/CC BY-NC

Liberia – $766 million

Liberia was one of the biggest beneficiaries of U.S. aid in 2015. This was due to the increase in funding in reaction to the outbreak of Ebola, which ravaged the West African nation, killing 4,810 people in Liberia alone. Most of the top activities in the foreign aid for Liberia involved combating Ebola.

USAID helps the Ethiopian bamboo industry. Photo: Addisfortune.net

Ethiopia – $809 million

Africa’s most populous nation, Ethiopia, is another of the recipients of U.S. foreign aid, with a total of $809 million going the way of the Ethiopians two years ago. Catholic Relief Services is a major partner in the country, with AIDS relief activities carried out through this group, while food aid, children’s charities and emergency response activities receive significant attention and funding.

Life in South Sudan is very difficult, and foreign aid is necessary. Image: theguardian.com

South Sudan – $839 million

Africa’s newest state is a great recipient of foreign aid from the United States, and was the third largest recipient for the year 2015. Obligations related to this foreign aid includes a number of United Nations-run programs, as well as food aid and peacekeeping operations.

USAid has helped to support farmers in Kenya. Photo: USAID/Flickr/africanfarming.net

Kenya – $941 million

The United State’s second biggest foreign aid recipient is Kenya, with the East African country receiving around $941 million in funding during 2015. Activities in Kenya are spread out among a number of projects that involve health, agriculture and emergency response, but the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief is the most prominent activity, with $118 million in funding received from that particular cause during 2015.

Foreign aid aims to provide an emergency response to violence in Egypt. Photo: REUTERS/Stringer

Egypt – $1.6 billion

With obligations amounting to around $1.6 billion in foreign aid, Egypt is the biggest recipient of USAID’s efforts to assist countries on the African continent, with a massive $1.3 billion of that dedicated to foreign military financing to assist the country in the procurement of defense articles, defense services, and design and construction services.