Sightsavers launches strategic partnership to accelerate disease elimination in Africa

Sightsavers and the African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) have signed a partnership agreement to strengthen African-led efforts to eliminate neglected tropical diseases and advance health equity.

The three-year collaboration will combine AUDA-NEPAD’s continental leadership and convening power with Sightsavers’ technical expertise in neglected tropical disease (NTD) elimination, disability inclusion and community-centred health programmes. Together, the organisations will support sustainable, country-led progress towards NTD elimination while strengthening integrated, climate-resilient health systems aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 ambitions.

Sightsavers’ CEO Caroline Harper said: “We’re at a critical moment for NTD elimination in Africa. There’s been remarkable progress – 22 African countries had eliminated at least one NTD by the end of 2025. But we need strong political commitment, greater domestic investment and coordinated action to sustain progress.”

Through a joint action plan, the organisations will support high-level policy dialogue, strengthen regional coordination and promote investment in NTD elimination. They will also work with countries to strengthen national NTD master plans, advance integrated service delivery, improve disability inclusion, support implementation research, and increase collaboration between NTD interventions and water, sanitation and hygiene and primary healthcare programmes.

Dr Nardos Bekele-Thomas, chief executive officer of AUDA-NEPAD, said: “NTDs are a public health challenge and a barrier to inclusive development in many African countries. Our new partnership with Sightsavers demonstrates our shared commitment to African-led solutions that strengthen health systems, improve equity and support countries to achieve their national and continental development goals.”

The new partnership builds on decades of Sightsavers’ work supporting governments across Africa to tackle NTDs and strengthen health systems. Having supported the delivery of two billion NTD treatments worldwide, Sightsavers will bring its experience and technical expertise to strengthen regional collaboration and accelerate progress towards elimination.