Africa Unites to Take Stock of Disease Burden and Financial Needs towards NTDs Elimination by 2030 – Africa CDC

Report on the Launch of the Digital Micro-Planning Portal for Neglected Tropical Diseases in Africa

Introduction

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | June 26, 2025 — Fifty African Union Member States have endorsed a pioneering digital micro-planning portal co-created by Africa CDC aimed at accelerating the elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). These diseases predominantly affect impoverished communities in tropical and subtropical regions, posing significant public health challenges.

Platform Development and Objectives

The innovative platform was developed with contributions from Member States, the World Health Organization (WHO), The END Fund, and other technical partners. Its primary objectives include:

• Tracking resource utilization
• Advocating for sustainable financing and domestic resource mobilization
• Driving Africa-owned solutions to eliminate NTDs by 2030

This initiative aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 1 (No Poverty), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Continental NTD Microplanning Workshop

From June 17 to 20, a continental workshop was held where each Member State presented country-specific micro-plans targeting the top six high-burden NTDs, guided by existing national Masterplans. The workshop addressed the recent reduction in funding from key global partners, which has disrupted essential NTD programs and highlighted vulnerabilities in current financing models.

Challenges and Strategic Importance

1. Funding Challenges: Dr. Raji Tajudeen, Africa CDC Acting Deputy Director General, emphasized that public health efforts in Africa face funding threats, making the commitment to NTD elimination commendable.
2. Data-Driven Planning: Dr. Dereje Duguma Gemeda, Ethiopian State Minister for Health, highlighted the workshop’s role in enabling practical, data-driven NTD plans to accelerate elimination efforts.
3. High Disease Burden: Dr. Ibrahima Soce Fall, WHO Global NTD Director, reported that the African Region is endemic for 20 of the 21 priority NTDs, affecting over 565 million people and accounting for 35% of the global disease burden.

Common Neglected Tropical Diseases Addressed

• Intestinal worms
• Lymphatic filariasis
• River blindness
• Schistosomiasis
• Trachoma
• Visceral leishmaniasis

Micro-Planning Approach and SDG Alignment

The micro-planning approach is designed to:

• Drive integrated country and regional planning
• Streamline resource mobilization
• Enhance budget efficiency by minimizing duplication and maximizing impact

This approach supports SDG 3 by improving health outcomes and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by targeting diseases of poverty.

Sustainable Financing and Country Ownership

Dr. Tajudeen stressed the urgent need for sustainable, country-owned solutions that leverage national capacities, optimize domestic resources, and identify areas requiring targeted external investment. Over the four-day workshop, Member States and partners shared experiences and sought financial solutions for integrated, multi-sectoral NTD elimination.

Dr. Solomon Zewdu, CEO of The END Fund, emphasized the necessity of rethinking health financing in Africa, moving away from traditional foreign aid towards collaborative, country-led financing strategies that enhance efficiency and domestic resource mobilization. This aligns with SDG 17, promoting partnerships and sustainable financing mechanisms.

Outcomes of the Workshop

• Development of comprehensive and costed country- and region-specific micro-plans for NTDs
• Identification of country-specific technical assistance needs
• Mapping of existing resources and partners within each Member State to enhance collaboration and resource sharing

Strategic Importance for African Development

Professor Julio Rakotonirina, Director for Health and Humanitarian Affairs at the African Union Commission, stated that eliminating NTDs is not only a public health goal but also a lever for development and a critical step towards achieving the African Union’s Agenda 2063. He emphasized that success depends on national ownership, resource mobilization, and effective operationalization on the ground.

Partnerships and Commitment

Africa CDC, The END Fund, and partners have solidified their collaboration through the micro-planning platform to accelerate the elimination of NTDs by 2030, reinforcing commitments to the SDGs and Africa’s health and development agendas.

About the Organizations

Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC)

Africa CDC is a public health agency of the African Union that supports Member States in strengthening health systems, improving disease surveillance, emergency response, and disease control. Learn more at http://www.africacdc.org.

The END Fund

The END Fund mobilizes resources and supports country-led initiatives to control and eliminate neglected tropical diseases. More information is available at https://end.org/.

Contact Information

• Margaret Edwin | Director of Communication and Public Information | Africa CDC | EdwinM@africacdc.org
• Victoria Miguda | Africa Communications & Engagement Leader | The END Fund | vmiguda@endfund.org

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article focuses on eliminating Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), which directly relates to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages.
2. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • NTDs primarily affect impoverished communities, so addressing these diseases contributes to poverty reduction.
3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The article highlights collaboration among African Union Member States, Africa CDC, WHO, END Fund, and other partners, emphasizing multi-stakeholder partnerships.
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • By targeting diseases that disproportionately affect marginalized populations, the initiative aims to reduce health inequalities.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases.
   • Target 3.b: Support the research and development of vaccines and medicines for communicable and non-communicable diseases that primarily affect developing countries.
2. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • Target 1.4: Ensure that all men and women have equal rights to economic resources, as eliminating NTDs improves productivity and reduces poverty.
3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.16: Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships.
   • Target 17.3: Mobilize additional financial resources for developing countries from multiple sources.
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Prevalence and Burden of NTDs
   • The article mentions that over 565 million people in Africa are affected by 20 of the 21 priority NTDs, implying the use of prevalence rates as an indicator.
2. Resource Utilization and Financing Indicators
   • Tracking resource utilization and advocating for sustainable financing and domestic resource mobilization suggest indicators related to financial inputs and expenditure efficiency.
3. Coverage of Micro-planning and Implementation
   • Indicators related to the development and operationalization of country-specific micro-plans for NTD elimination.
4. Health Outcomes
   • Reduction in morbidity, physical and visual impairments, malnutrition, and mortality rates associated with NTDs.
5. Partnership and Collaboration Metrics
   • Number of countries engaged, partnerships formed, and joint initiatives implemented.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs	Targets	Indicators
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	3.3: End epidemics of NTDs by 2030 3.b: Support R&D for vaccines and medicines	Prevalence rates of NTDs Reduction in morbidity and mortality from NTDs Coverage of NTD elimination programs
SDG 1: No Poverty	1.4: Equal access to economic resources	Economic impact assessments related to NTD elimination Reduction in poverty rates in affected communities
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals	17.16: Enhance multi-stakeholder partnerships 17.3: Mobilize additional financial resources	Number of partnerships and collaborations Amount of domestic and external financing mobilized Efficiency of resource utilization
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities	10.2: Promote social and economic inclusion	Access to NTD interventions among marginalized groups Reduction in health disparities related to NTDs

Source: africacdc.org