Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the most pressing public health challenges of our time. In 2023 alone, TB claimed over 1.25 million lives worldwide, with Africa bearing a disproportionate share of this preventable and treatable disease.
24 MARCH 2025, Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia: On this World TB Day, under the global theme “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver”, I affirm the unwavering commitment of Africa CDC to work hand-in-hand with African Union Member States, communities, and global partners to defeat TB once and for all.
To end TB in Africa, we must act decisively across three fronts:
First, we must expand access to TB diagnostics and treatment.
Africa CDC, in collaboration with AU institutions and Member States, is accelerating efforts to scale local manufacturing of vaccines, diagnostics, therapeutics, and essential health products through the Platform for Harmonized African Health Products Manufacturing (PHAHM). Supported by the African Pool Procurement Mechanism (APPM), this initiative will secure sustainable supply chains for TB-related commodities across the continent.
Second, we must invest in strong and resilient Primary health Care (PHC) systems.
Africa CDC’s Strategic Plan 2023–2027 places TB prevention and care at the heart of integrated, people-centered PHC. From TB vaccination and early TB detection to effective treatment and infection prevention and control, achieving and sustaining a high quality PHC—anchored by empowered community health workers—remains the foundation for ending TB.
Third, we must increase domestic health financing towards PHC.
The Lusaka Agenda, endorsed by AU Heads of State and Government, calls for increased and sustained domestic investments for integrated delivery of health interventions at PHC level. Through the Continental Secretariat for the Lusaka Agenda, Africa CDC will continue to advocate for innovative, country-led financing models that ensure equitable access to integrated prevention and care services, including for TB.
On this World TB Day, Africa CDC calls upon all actors to take bold and united action. Governments must scale up investments in resilient health systems that guarantee universal access to TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and social protection for all affected individuals. At the same time, partners and donors are urged to sustain and better coordinate their financial and technical support to African Union Member States, reinforcing national efforts to eliminate TB. Lastly, communities must be empowered to take ownership— in raising awareness, fighting stigma, and early TB detection and quality treatment—ensuring that no one is left behind in the fight against this curable disease.
In our collective journey to end TB, Africa CDC remains committed to move together with Member States and action the continental vision of safeguarding Africa’s health.
Yes! We Can End TB! I Thank You
