Fifty African Union (AU) Member States have officially endorsed a groundbreaking digital micro-planning platform designed to accelerate the elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) by 2030.
This move marks a unified commitment to eradicating diseases that disproportionately affect the continent’s most vulnerable populations.
Co-created by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the platform was launched during a virtual webinar, in collaboration with Member States, the World Health Organization (WHO), the END Fund, and other technical partners.
The platform is expected to improve tracking of resources, strengthen advocacy for sustainable financing, and promote Africa-led, data-driven solutions to eliminate NTDs—often referred to as “diseases of poverty.”
The launch aligned with a four-day continental NTD microplanning workshop, a timely intervention in light of declining global donor funding, which has disrupted several key NTD programs across Africa.
“Public health efforts in Africa are under serious threat, with funding being one of the main challenges,” said Dr. Raji Tajudeen, Acting Deputy Director-General of Africa CDC. “This makes the continued energy and engagement around NTD elimination even more commendable.”
The African region remains endemic for 20 of the 21 priority NTDs, according to Dr. Ibrahima Soce Fall, WHO’s Global NTD Director. He revealed that over 565 million people are affected, accounting for 35% of the global burden. These diseases cause chronic illness, disability, stigma—and in many cases, death.
“These are not just diseases; they are drivers of inequality,” said Dr. Fall. “They undermine education, nutrition, mental health, and economic development.”
Each participating Member State presented a country-specific micro-plan, targeting the six most prevalent NTDs in alignment with their national health strategies. These plans aim to drive efficient, integrated interventions while minimizing duplication.
Dr. Dereje Duguma Gemeda, Ethiopia’s State Minister for Health, said the workshop marked a turning point in practical planning and implementation. It also facilitated cross-country learning and partner coordination, helping countries optimise resources and identify gaps for targeted investment.
“We stand at a critical juncture—not just for NTD elimination, but for rethinking health financing in Africa,” said Dr. Solomon Zewdu, CEO of the END Fund.
Dr. Zewdu emphasized the limitations of traditional foreign aid and called for country-led, co-financing strategies to ensure long-term sustainability. He reaffirmed the END Fund’s commitment to supporting government-led models that “deliver results and leave no community behind.”
Prof. Julio Rakotonirina, Director for Health and Humanitarian Affairs at the AU Commission, noted that NTD elimination goes beyond public health—it’s a matter of national ownership, domestic resource mobilisation, and effective execution.
The new digital platform is now considered a cornerstone of Africa’s NTD elimination strategy, and may serve as a model for broader public health planning and financing initiatives across the continent.
The meeting concluded with AU countries adopting comprehensive, costed micro-plans, while also outlining technical assistance needs and strategies for resource mapping.
The overarching goal: to ensure sustainable, Africa-owned progress that aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
