US’s new scramble for Africa is biomedical imperialism

**Lusaka, Zambia** – Concerns are mounting across the African continent, and particularly within Zambia, that recent health funding agreements proposed by the United States may signify a new and insidious form of "biomedical imperialism." This apprehension, recently highlighted by Al Jazeera English, suggests that these seemingly benevolent partnerships could grant American entities unprecedented access to sensitive health data and biological samples, raising profound questions about national sovereignty and the long-term implications for African nations. The parallels drawn to Zimbabwe's recent rejection of a similar deal underscore the urgent need for Zambia to scrutinise any such proposals with the utmost caution, ensuring that the health and genetic patrimony of its citizens are not inadvertently ceded. The core of this concern lies in the potential for these agreements to facilitate what critics term "biomedical extractivism." While ostensibly aimed at bolstering public health infrastructure, disease surveillance, and research capabilities, the fine print of such deals often includes clauses that could allow foreign powers extensive rights to collect, store, and analyse genetic material and health information. For a nation like Zambia, with its rich biodiversity and diverse population, the implications are particularly weighty. Such data, once collected, can be leveraged for pharmaceutical development, genetic research, and even biosecurity strategies, often with little direct benefit or control remaining with the source country. This echoes historical patterns where Africa's natural resources were exploited for foreign gain, now merely shifting from minerals and land to the very biological essence of its people. Zambia's historical context, marked by periods of external influence and the ongoing struggle for self-determination, makes this issue especially pertinent. Our nation has long grappled with the balance between receiving much-needed development aid a