AUDA-NEPAD, the African Union’s development agency, and Uniting to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) have signed an historic agreement which will strengthen efforts and mobilise resources to eliminate NTDs across the African continent.

This partnership, formalized during the 45th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council and the 6th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union, represents a significant milestone in the fight against NTDs in Africa.

NTDs are a group of twenty-one diseases and infections that can disable, disfigure, and be fatal. They disproportionately affect those living in low-income, hard-to-reach areas. These diseases, which include conditions such as river blindness, trachoma, and lymphatic filariasis, perpetuate cycles of poverty and hinder economic growth and development. Currently, more than 1.65 billion people worldwide are at risk of NTDs, with the burden in Africa accounting for more than 35%. Addressing NTDs is crucial for improving health outcomes and fostering sustainable development across the continent.

In recent years, countries across Africa have made incredible progress combating NTDs, despite facing significant obstacles such as the COVID-19 pandemic, global supply chain disruptions and severe weather events. Twenty-one countries in the African continent have now eliminated at least one NTD, with several countries eliminating multiple NTDs, including Togo and Benin. However, to eliminate these diseases, increased resources, actions and political will are essential.

The partnership between AUDA-NEPAD and Uniting aims to jointly implement and mobilise resources to support AUDA-NEPAD’s NTD Program. This will include leveraging AUDA-NEPAD’s ongoing domestic health financing programme and efforts towards overall health systems strengthening to support AU Member States’ capacity to address and eliminate priority diseases, such as NTDs. Additionally, the partnership will undertake high-level advocacy to enhance political will to achieve these objectives.

Signing this agreement on behalf of their respective organisations were Ms. Nardos Bekele-Thomas, the first female CEO of AUDA-NEPAD, and Dr. Isatou Touray, Executive Director of Uniting to Combat NTDs and former Vice President of The Gambia.