The European Union has stated it is unable to fill the funding gap left by the United States’ suspension of international aid programs, leaving governments across Africa grappling to keep essential services operational.
This comes as the US, the world’s largest single aid donor, halts significant portions of its aid, primarily administered through the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
In 2023, the US disbursed around $72 billion in aid, with a significant chunk allocated to humanitarian and health assistance, particularly in Africa. The freeze in funding has already resulted in the closure of various vital services on the continent.
In contrast, the EU, the largest collective donor, contributed almost $100 billion in the same year, with its 2025 humanitarian budget set at $1.9 billion, including $510 million specifically designated for Africa.
However, the EU has acknowledged that it cannot fully compensate for the loss of US aid, with a European Commission spokesperson confirming that while the EU will not back down from its humanitarian commitments, the funding gap continues to grow, leaving millions in urgent need of assistance.
Rwanda, like many developing countries that receive international aid, benefits from USAID funding, which is crucial for programs in sectors like health, education, and agriculture. In 2023, Rwanda received approximately $200 million in aid from USAID, a critical component in the country’s development efforts.
As international aid becomes more uncertain, Rwanda, like many other African nations, faces growing challenges in sustaining these programs without the necessary financial support.
