Fifty African Union (AU) Member States have endorsed a groundbreaking digital micro-planning platform aimed at fast-tracking the elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) across the continent by 2030.
The platform, launched by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) via a webinar on Thursday, was developed in collaboration with AU Member States, the World Health Organization (WHO), the END Fund, and other technical partners. It represents a significant step toward addressing diseases that disproportionately affect the continent’s most vulnerable populations.
The new platform is expected to help countries monitor resource allocation, advocate for sustainable financing, and promote Africa-led solutions to combat NTDs, commonly known as “diseases of poverty.”
Its unveiling coincided with a four-day continental workshop on NTD microplanning, held amid a troubling drop in global donor funding that has hindered several vital NTD programmes.
Dr. Raji Tajudeen, Acting Deputy Director-General of Africa CDC, warned that dwindling resources were threatening public health efforts. “This makes the continued engagement and energy around NTD elimination even more commendable,” he said.
WHO’s Global Director for NTDs, Dr. Ibrahima Soce Fall, revealed that the African region remains endemic for 20 of the 21 priority NTDs, affecting over 565 million people — 35% of the global burden. He stressed that NTDs are not merely health issues, but also major drivers of inequality, undermining education, nutrition, mental health, and economic development.
During the workshop, each country presented tailored micro-plans targeting the six most prevalent NTDs, aligned with national master plans and designed to promote efficient, data-driven, and integrated interventions.
Dr. Dereje Duguma Gemeda, Ethiopia’s State Minister for Health, described the event as a turning point. “It provides an opportunity for practical planning, cross-country learning, and enhanced coordination among partners,” he added.
Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Solomon Zewdu, CEO of the END Fund, called for a shift from foreign aid dependency to country-led co-financing strategies. “We are at a critical juncture, not just for NTD elimination, but for rethinking health financing in Africa,” he stated, reaffirming the Fund’s commitment to supporting scalable, results-driven models.
Prof. Julio Rakotonirina, Director for Health and Humanitarian Affairs at the AU Commission, emphasized that eliminating NTDs is more than a public health goal—it’s a matter of social and economic development. He stressed the importance of national ownership, domestic funding, and strong implementation.
The digital micro-planning platform is now considered a cornerstone of Africa’s NTD elimination efforts and a model for broader public health planning and financing.
The meeting concluded with the adoption of comprehensive, costed micro-plans, along with strategies for technical assistance and resource mapping, all geared toward achieving sustainable, Africa-owned progress aligned with the AU’s Agenda 2063.