Fifty African Union (AU) Member States have formally endorsed a cutting-edge digital microplanning platform aimed at accelerating the elimination of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) by the year 2030.
This unified move signals a collective commitment to eradicate diseases that disproportionately affect the continent’s most vulnerable and impoverished populations.
The innovative platform was co-developed by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) in partnership with AU Member States, the World Health Organisation (WHO), the END Fund and several technical collaborators. Its official launch took place virtually during a webinar, coinciding with a four-day continental NTD microplanning workshop.
According to Science Nigeria, the platform is designed to help countries track resource use, strengthen advocacy for sustainable financing and foster African-led solutions to eliminate NTDs, often referred to as “diseases of poverty.” These efforts come at a critical time, as global donor support for NTD programmes continues to decline, disrupting interventions and threatening progress across the continent.
Acting deputy director-general of the Africa CDC, Dr. Raji Tajudeen highlighted the gravity of the situation, noting that public health programmes were increasingly under threat due to dwindling funds. “This makes the continued engagement and energy around NTD elimination even more commendable,” he said.
The African region remains endemic for 20 of the 21 globally prioritised NTDs. WHO’s global director for NTDs, Dr. Ibrahima Soce Fall said these diseases impact more than 565 million Africans – approximately 35 per cent of the global NTD burden. “These are not just diseases; they are drivers of inequality. They undermine education, nutrition, mental health and economic development,” Fall said.
Each participating country presented a customised microplan focused on six of the most prevalent NTDs in their respective regions. These plans are aligned with existing national master plans and are designed to promote integrated, data-driven approaches to improve programme efficiency and reduce duplication.
Ethiopia’s State Minister for Health, Dr. Dereje Gemeda described the workshop as a turning point for national governments to move from strategy to implementation. He noted that the forum also provided a valuable platform for cross-country learning, partner coordination and identifying financial and technical gaps requiring targeted investment.
“We stand at a critical juncture, not just for NTD elimination, but for rethinking health financing in Africa,” said CEO of the END Fund, Dr. Solomon Zewdu. He stressed that traditional models heavily reliant on foreign aid had proven insufficient. “We need country-led, co-financing strategies for long-term sustainability,” he added, reaffirming the END Fund’s support for homegrown health financing models that deliver tangible results and reach underserved communities.
Director for health and humanitarian affairs at the African Union Commission, Prof. Julio Rakotonirina emphasised that eliminating NTDs is not solely a public health goal but also a lever for sustainable development. “Success lies in national ownership, domestic resource mobilisation and effective implementation,” he stated.
The digital microplanning platform is now positioned as a cornerstone in Africa’s strategy to eliminate NTDs and is seen as a model for broader public health planning and financing across the continent. The workshop concluded with all participating countries adopting costed microplans and outlining technical assistance needs, resource-mapping strategies and frameworks for follow-up.
This collaborative momentum aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and reflects a bold, Africa-led vision for health equity and inclusive development.
