Africa Unites to Eliminate NTDs by 2030 with New Digital Microplanning Platform Backed by Africa CDC

Illustrative Image: Africa Unites to Eliminate NTDs by 2030 with New Digital Microplanning Platform Backed by Africa CDC
Image Source & Credit: eHealth Africa
Ownership and Usage Policy

In a major step toward eliminating Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), fifty African Union (AU) Member States have endorsed an innovative digital micro-planning platform co-developed by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). This landmark decision marks a pivotal moment in Africa’s collective health journey, demonstrating the continent’s growing commitment to self-driven, data-informed public health solutions.

NTDs are a group of 21 debilitating diseases that predominantly affect impoverished populations in tropical and subtropical regions. These include intestinal worms, lymphatic filariasis, river blindness, schistosomiasis, trachoma, and visceral leishmaniasis, among others. These diseases lead to long-term health complications such as blindness, deformities, malnutrition, and social stigma, collectively burdening over 565 million people in the African region—accounting for 35% of the global NTD burden.

The Microplanning Revolution

To accelerate the elimination of these diseases by 2030, the Africa CDC—alongside the World Health Organization (WHO), The END Fund, and various technical partners—has launched a first-of-its-kind continental digital microplanning portal. This dynamic platform allows each participating country to upload, manage, and monitor customized microplans aligned with their national NTD masterplans, focusing on the six most prevalent NTDs in their regions.

More than a data collection tool, the platform offers critical functionality to:

• Track and optimize resource allocation

• Identify and address technical assistance needs

• Enhance inter-country knowledge sharing

• Facilitate evidence-based budgeting

• Advocate for domestic and sustainable financing solutions

This approach is vital in the wake of declining international funding streams that have disrupted essential NTD programs across Africa. “Public health across Africa is under serious threat due to these funding gaps,” emphasized Dr. Raji Tajudeen, Acting Deputy Director General of the Africa CDC. “That’s why the strong momentum around NTD elimination is so vital—it shows resilience and collective purpose.”

Country-Led, Data-Driven Strategies

Over four days of in-depth discussions and workshops held from June 17–20, 2025, AU Member States worked together to finalize national microplans. These plans detail the specific epidemiological landscape, technical needs, existing resources, and priority interventions required to eliminate NTDs in each country.

The participatory process encouraged regional cooperation and helped countries align with the African Union’s Agenda 2063—a long-term strategic framework aimed at promoting inclusive and sustainable development across the continent. As Prof. Julio Rakotonirina of the African Union Commission noted, “Eliminating NTDs is not just a health goal—it is a crucial lever for Africa’s development.”

A Shift in Health Financing Paradigms

The meeting also served as a rallying call to reform how health programs are financed. With traditional donor support dwindling, there is a growing recognition that foreign aid alone cannot sustain public health progress. “We are at a crossroads,” said Dr. Solomon Zewdu, CEO of The END Fund. “It’s time to rethink health financing. African countries must lead with collaborative, strategic financing models that blend domestic funding with catalytic external investments.”

The END Fund and Africa CDC reinforced their partnership, committing to support governments in developing co-financing models and resource pooling strategies that ensure no community is left behind. “Long-term sustainability lies in national ownership, strategic partnerships, and operationalizing plans on the ground,” added Dr. Zewdu.

Building Towards a Healthier, Resilient Africa

The microplanning workshop concluded with each country having a fully costed, data-driven, and actionable NTD elimination plan, complete with identified resource gaps and coordination strategies. This initiative aims to minimize duplication, streamline efforts, and improve the overall efficiency of NTD programs continent-wide.

As Dr. Dereje Duguma Gemeda, Ethiopia’s State Minister for Health, put it: “This new platform enables countries to make data-informed decisions that reflect real-world needs. It brings us one step closer to ending NTDs for good.”

With the full support of Africa CDC, WHO, The END Fund, and other regional and global partners, Africa is positioning itself not just as a recipient of health solutions, but as an architect of its own future—one where neglected diseases are no longer a reflection of neglected people.

About Africa CDC

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is an autonomous public health institution of the African Union that supports Member States in building strong, responsive, and sustainable health systems. It focuses on improving disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, and health systems development.

About The END Fund

The END Fund is a private philanthropic initiative focused on ending the five most common NTDs through public-private partnerships. The Fund mobilizes resources and technical support for country-led efforts and sustainable strategies.