At a high-level side event during the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, Japan, leaders from Japan and Africa came together to reaffirm their commitment to ending NTDs. Co-hosted by African Union Development Agency-NEPAD, SDGs Promise Japan, Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), and Uniting to Combat NTDs (UTC), the session highlighted the power of cross-regional partnerships in advancing universal health coverage and eliminating NTDs. 

From powerful calls to action by Japanese leaders and the African Union to inspiring stories of youth advocacy and scientific collaboration, the event underscored that NTD elimination is not just a health goal: It’s a commitment to equity, resilience, and global solidarity.

The RLMF Country Consultation on Laboratory Capacity Strengthening in Abuja, Nigeria, convened 46 key stakeholders committed to eliminating river blindness and lymphatic filariasis across Africa. With over 1 million samples expected to be analyzed in 2026, the meeting focused on identifying challenges and solutions in sample analysis, addressing critical gaps in laboratory capacity, and generating actionable recommendations for RLMF.

Participants included representatives from national laboratories, Ministries of Health from Nigeria, Zambia, Malawi, Cameroon, Mali, Uganda, the DRC, and Ethiopia, and RLMF partners such as The Carter Center, the END Fund, Sightsavers International, WHO Afro’s Expanded Special Project for Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (ESPEN), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM).

We recently reached a major milestone in Nigeria as Dr. Adaora Nwodo became the first female surgeon to receive training in hydrocele operations for lymphatic filariasis through the country’s neglected tropical diseases program. This training was supported by the Reaching the Last Mile Fund.

In an interview, Dr. Nwodo spoke about the “life-changing” impact that the RLMF program has on patients affected by lymphatic filariasis. She also shared her experience working in a male-dominated field and her advice for young women following in her footsteps. 

In a powerful display of national unity and commitment, Senegal is on the cusp of eliminating river blindness—an achievement driven by the dedication of its leaders, health workers, and communities. Since 2018, the country has reported no transmission of the disease, marking a significant step toward a future free from river blindness.

In August, a high-level event in Dakar, Senegal, brought together key partners to celebrate this progress. Hosted by the Ministry of Health and Social Action in collaboration with the END Fund and the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity through RLMF, the gathering highlighted Senegal’s leadership and the collective efforts that have made this success possible.

Among the distinguished guests were Serigne Mbaye, Secretary General of the Ministry of Health and Social Action; H.E. Saeed Hamdan Alnaqbi, UAE Ambassador to the Republic of Senegal; and Dr. Solomon Zewdu, Chief Executive Officer of the END Fund—each offering reflections on the journey so far and the road ahead. 

Amref Health Africa, with support from the Gates Foundation, hosted a powerful virtual forum exploring how African countries can safeguard and accelerate progress against NTDs amid evolving health challenges.

The event brought together leading voices in global health—including Dr. Githinji Gitahi (Amref), Dr. Ebere Okereke (the Reaching the Last Mile Fund), Dr. Clarer Jones Mwansasu (Tanzania MOH), Dr. Solomon Zewdu (the END Fund), and Onome Dibosa-Osadolor (UNICEF)—to highlight country leadership, program integration, and innovations in co-financing as key drivers toward sustainable NTD elimination.

With insights from across the continent, the webinar underscored that while NTDs continue to impact millions, African-led strategies and partnerships are paving the way for a future free from these diseases.