The World Bank Group and the Global Fund join forces to strengthen health systems and expand sustainable health financing – press releases

The World Bank Group and the Global Fund are joining forces to strengthen health systems and expand sustainable health financing

World Bank Group and Global Fund sign recent memorandum of understanding to strengthen primary health care and fight HIV, tuberculosis and malaria

December 6, 2025

– The World Bank Group and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to assist developing countries construct stronger, more resilient health systems and ensure sustainable financing for primary health care and the fight against HIV, TB and malaria.

Working together, the 2 organizations plan to mobilize a minimum of $2 billion over the following three years in shared funding, aligned with national priorities, to strengthen primary health care and expand access to essential services.

The partnership will speed up progress towards the World Bank Group’s goal of helping countries provide high-quality and reasonably priced health services to 1.5 billion people by 2030, and can contribute to the Global Fund’s mission to eliminate HIV, tuberculosis and malaria and strengthen health systems all over the world.

Since announcing its goal in April 2024, the World Bank Group and partners have helped countries reach an extra 375 million individuals with high-quality, reasonably priced care. Work is now underway to scale proven primary care approaches that improve health outcomes while generating jobs amongst health care employees, local supply chains and supporting industries.

“Healthy people fuel a thriving economy,” he said. “Through our partnership with the Global Fund, we are combining efforts to achieve greater impact by helping countries strengthen primary health care systems that create jobs, drive economic growth and build long-term resilience across the health sector.”

“Strengthening health systems at scale requires sustained investment, smart financing and true partnership,” he said. “This renewed partnership combines the Global Fund’s expertise in driving impact on the ground with the World Bank Group’s leadership in sustainable finance. By working hand-in-hand with countries, we can unlock the resources, capabilities and innovation needed to protect people’s health and drive long-term development.”

The World Bank Group and the Global Fund have been working together since 2017, supporting countries through investments with joint financing. The recent MoU will deepen joint investment and higher align external financing with government health priorities. National Country Compacts – government-led arrangements that coordinate partners on shared health priorities, financial needs and accountability frameworks – will probably be key.

The MoU will strengthen cooperation in three key areas: reasonably priced health services, sustainable financing and reliable access to quality-assured health products.

First, the partnership will help governments strengthen sustainable financing, public financial management and integrated primary health care by aligning external financing with national health plans. Secondly, it should strengthen procurement systems, supply chains and regional production by increasing sustainable production capability, improving access to quality-assured health products, and strengthening regulations and the availability chain. Third, it should support stronger health systems and health security by strengthening the capability of medical experts, strengthening data and surveillance systems, laboratories and the delivery of essential services to combat HIV, tuberculosis, malaria and maternal and child health.

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