The African Union (AU) Commission’s Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi) to help Africa’s fight against neglected tropical diseases.
The sighning was done on February 10, 2025 aiming to advance policy advocacy, research and development (R&D), and access to treatments for NTDs across the continent.
NTDs affect over a billion people globally, with Africa bearing a significant portion of this burden. Diseases such as leishmaniasis, sleeping sickness, and river blindness disproportionately impact the continent’s most vulnerable populations, hindering socio-economic development and quality of life.
This MoU aligns with the Common African Position on NTDs, which outlines a strategic vision to control, eliminate, and eradicate these diseases by 2030. This position reflects the continent’s dedication to improving public health outcomes.
“‘We are committed to developing and delivering effective treatments to the most vulnerable, promoting R&D and innovation for new technologies for NTDs and climate-sensitive diseases in line with the AU’s Agenda 2063, Africa Health Strategy and the Continental Framework on NTDs,”stated Amb. Minata Samate , Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development.
Dr Luis Pizarro, the Executive Director of DNDi asserted how for too long neglected diseases have caused immense suffering to vulnerable communities across Africa.
The partnership will focus on jointly advancing the discovery and development of new treatments for NTDs prevalent in Africa through collaborative R&D efforts.
It will also prioritise capacity building by strengthening the capabilities of African health institutions and professionals in managing and researching NTDs.
Additionally, the collaboration aims to promote advocacy and policy development to support sustainable access to NTD treatments and integrate NTD initiatives into national health agenda to tackle the diseases.
“This partnership with the African Union is about changing that by bringing science and policy action together to drive innovation and ensure that effective treatments reach patients in need and on time,’ said Dr Pizarro. ‘With this collaboration, we are shaping a healthier, more equitable world—one where no disease is too neglected to deserve attention, investment, and action.‘
By leveraging the strengths of both organisations, this collaboration aspires to make significant strides in reducing the burden of NTDs, ultimately contributing to a healthier and more prosperous Africa.
