The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) and Uniting to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) have joined forces in a landmark partnership aimed at eliminating a scourge of diseases plaguing millions across the continent.

The agreement, inked during the 45th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council, marks a pivotal moment in the fight against NTDs, a group of debilitating and often fatal infections disproportionately affecting impoverished communities.

NTDs, which encompass a spectrum of diseases including river blindness, trachoma, and lymphatic filariasis, have long been a persistent challenge to Africa’s development.

These diseases not only cause immense human suffering but also impede economic growth by hindering productivity and draining scarce resources.

With over 1.65 billion people globally at risk and Africa bearing the brunt of the burden, addressing NTDs is imperative for the continent’s progress.

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Despite significant strides made by several African nations – including Togo and Benin, which have successfully eradicated multiple NTDs – the battle against these diseases is far from over.

The COVID-19 pandemic, global supply chain disruptions, and extreme weather events have compounded the challenges.

The AUDA-NEPAD-Uniting partnership seeks to bolster existing efforts by pooling resources and expertise.

By leveraging AUDA-NEPAD’s health financing programme and focus on strengthening health systems, the alliance aims to empower African nations to combat NTDs effectively.

Moreover, the partnership will champion advocacy at the highest levels to galvanise political support for the cause.

Ms. Nardos Bekele-Thomas, the first female CEO of AUDA-NEPAD, emphasised the strategic importance of the partnership, stating: “To create the Africa we want, strong collaborations and value-adding partnerships will be key in addressing priority diseases such as NTDs. Eliminating these diseases is critical to future economic growth and sustainability on the continent and will create an incredible return on investment in a political environment where every dollar matters.”

Dr. Isatou Touray, Executive Director of Uniting to Combat NTDs and former Vice President of The Gambia, echoed this sentiment.

"This strategic partnership marks a pivotal step in our collective efforts to end NTDs across the African continent," Touray stated.

"By mobilising resources and political will, we can achieve our goal of eliminating these diseases and improving the quality of life for millions of Africans. The commitment and collaboration demonstrated today set the stage for a brighter tomorrow, where NTDs are a relic of the past and Africa’s potential is fully realised.”

The partnership underscores the African Union’s unwavering commitment to eradicating NTDs, building upon the momentum generated by the 2022 adoption of the Common African Position and Continental Framework on NTDs.

This comprehensive blueprint provides a unified strategy for tackling the diseases across the continent.

With the leadership of two accomplished women at the helm, the partnership also highlights the critical role of female leadership in driving Africa’s development agenda.

Both Ms. Bekele-Thomas and Dr. Touray are renowned for their dedication to improving the lives of Africans through their work in health and governance.