The African Union’s development agency, and uniting to combat neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) have signed an historic agreement which will strengthen efforts and mobilize resources to eliminate NTDs across the African continent. NTDs are a group of twenty-one diseases and infections that can disable, disfigure, and be fatal. These diseases, which include conditions such as river blindness, trachoma, and lymphatic filariasis, perpetuate cycles of poverty and hinder economic growth and development. Currently, more than 1.65 billion people worldwide are at risk of NTDs, with the burden in Africa accounting for more than 35%. The signatories of the agreement also underscore the importance of female leadership in driving development across Africa.
