A new, comprehensive framework has been launched to guide health authorities, policy makers and other stakeholders towards elimination of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) as a public health problem in eastern Africa.

Also known as kala-azar, VL is a deadly parasitic disease that causes fever, weight loss, spleen and liver enlargement, and – if untreated – death. Transmitted by the bite of infected female sandflies, VL is endemic in 80 countries around the world. In 2022, Eastern Africa accounted for 73% of global VL cases, half of which occurred in children under 15.

The elimination framework outlines five main strategies for guiding VL elimination: early diagnosis and treatment; integrated vector management; effective surveillance; advocacy, social mobilization, building partnerships; and implementation and operational research. It also includes a step-by-step process for implementing the main elimination phases and sets country and regional targets, such as a 90% reduction in VL burden in the Eastern Africa sub-region to fewer than 1,500 per year by 2030; detection and treatment of 90% of cases within 30 days of onset of symptoms by 2030; a 100% decline in VL deaths in children by 2030; 100% of VL-HIV patients started on ART therapy; and the detection, reporting, and management of all post kala azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) cases. 

‘The introduction of this new framework represents a significant step forward in our collective efforts to eliminate visceral leishmaniasis from Eastern Africa,’ said Dr Saurabh Jain, Scientist and WHO Focal Point for VL. ‘By providing countries with tailored tools and strategies, we are laying a strong foundation for sustained progress in the fight against this neglected tropical disease’.

The framework developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with various partners, including the non-profit drug research and development organization Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) and Ministries of Health across the region, was launched at a meeting co-hosted by WHO, DNDi, and the Ministry of Health in Ethiopia. The meeting was attended by officials from the ministries of health of nine high VL burden countries in Africa, namely Chad, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda, as well as representatives from the African Union, researchers, academia, the private sector, and funding institutions. 

‘The VL elimination framework will offer important direction to countries in the region and provide momentum to reach the finish line of elimination,’ said Dr Dereje Duguma, State Minister of the Federal Ministry of Health, Ethiopia. ‘The Government of Ethiopia remains committed to working with partners to develop programs at all levels, from national to community, to expand access to healthcare and achieve the targets of elimination by 2030.’ 

The launch of the Eastern Africa framework comes at a time when countries in Asia are already demonstrating success in eliminating VL as a public health problem. 

Between 2004 and 2008, Bangladesh, India, and Nepal collectively accounted for 70% of global cases. However, in October last year, WHO announced that Bangladesh had successfully eliminated VL as a public health problem – making it the first country in the world to achieve this status. The elimination process in Asia began in 2005 with the launch of a regional Strategic 

Framework forVL. This framework, coupled with an accelerated elimination program, political commitment, and sustained stakeholder support, significantly contributed to achieving elimination goals. 

The new framework for Eastern Africa presents a similar opportunity for the nine endemic countries, offering a comprehensive approach for countries to implement strategies, assess progress, identify gaps, and build capacity. 

‘VL is a severe disease primarily affecting vulnerable groups, such as children and the poorest populations. I am very pleased that the framework’s core pillars prioritize innovation for these neglected populations. Since its establishment in 2003, DNDi has focused on developing new, safer, more efficacious, and patient-friendly treatments. “This, combined with complementary strategies such as vector control, undoubtedly will play a pivotal role in the journey towards elimination’, said Professor Samuel Kariuki, the Eastern Africa Director for DNDi. 

Continuous research and development of new tools will be key to overcoming remaining obstacles and sustaining elimination of VL. Current tools, though effective, remain challenging due to complex administration and potential toxicity, limiting their use in primary healthcare settings.

The launch of the framework follows the Nairobi Declaration (January 2023), where representatives from the ministries of health of Chad, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda, along with key stakeholders in the region, committed to eliminating VL as a public health problem by 2030.

The framework was developed in consistency with the WHO roadmap for neglected tropical diseases 2021-2030, a 10 -year plan formulated to guide all nations working towards the control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases. 

Ethiopia has fallen to 144th place out of 163 countries in the 2024 Global Peace Index, released by the Institute for Economics & Peace. This marks a significant deterioration in Ethiopia’s ranking, down from 131st place in the previous year’s index.

The Global Peace Index is the world’s leading measure of global peacefulness, ranking countries based on 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators across three domains: the level of Societal Safety and Security, the extent of Ongoing Domestic and International Conflict, and the degree of Militarization.

According to the report, Ethiopia saw notable declines in several areas, including increased involvement in external conflicts, higher military expenditure as a percentage of GDP, and a rise in the number of deaths from internal conflict. The report also highlighted Ethiopia’s internal political instability and ethnic tensions as contributing factors to its lower ranking.

“Ethiopia’s drop in the rankings is a concerning sign of the country’s ongoing struggle to maintain peace and stability,” said the report’s lead author. “The combination of external conflicts, militarization, and internal divisions is making it increasingly difficult for Ethiopia to achieve a high level of peacefulness.”

The report found that the average level of global peacefulness deteriorated by 0.56% in 2024, marking the 12th deterioration in peacefulness in the last 16 years. This underscores the challenges many countries are facing in addressing the root causes of conflict and violence.

While Ethiopia’s ranking has fallen, the report noted that several countries in the region, including Kenya and Uganda, have seen improvements in their peacefulness rankings. This suggests that progress is possible, but will require a concerted effort by the Ethiopian government and international community to address the complex drivers of conflict.

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) kicked off a pivotal workshop focused on local currency financing and capital market development for central banks across the African continent.

In the opening remarks, a senior UNECA official welcomed the distinguished guests and esteemed colleagues, emphasizing the critical role that strengthening financial architecture plays in driving economic and social development in Africa. “We gather here today not just as individuals from diverse backgrounds and expertise, but as a collective force united by a common goal: to strengthen and advance the financial architecture of our continent,” the UNECA representative stated.

UNECA, one of the five regional commissions under the UN’s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), has been a key player in providing technical assistance, policy advice, and capacity-building efforts to its 54 member states. The organization is committed to creating a conducive environment for capital markets to thrive, which is essential for attracting investment and promoting sustainable economic growth.

The significance of local currency financing was underscored, as it enables the mobilization of domestic resources, mitigates currency risk, and fosters a stable environment for investment. Participants will delve into the challenges and opportunities associated with the development of robust capital markets in Africa over the course of the multi-day workshop. “By prioritizing this form of financing, we are taking a proactive step towards insulating our economies from external shocks and creating a more resilient financial ecosystem,” the UNECA official noted.

The development of capital markets was also emphasized as paramount in the quest for economic transformation, serving as a conduit for channeling savings into productive investments and facilitating the efficient allocation of capital.

“Together, we can build a financial landscape that not only meets the needs of the present but also secures the prosperity of future generations,” the UNECA representative concluded, expressing optimism for the fruitful exchanges and insights that will emerge from this timely event.

Strengthening Financial Systems for Sustainable Development in Africa

Experts and stakeholders from across Africa gathered for a workshop on Integrated National Financing Frameworks (INFFs) at the United Nations Conference Center in Addis Ababa. The two-day event aims to strategize on mobilizing and utilizing financial resources to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs) in Africa.

First introduced in the 2015 Addis Ababa Action Agenda, INFFs are designed to strengthen public and private financing for sustainable development. They align financing policies with national development plans, fostering collaboration between public and private sectors. Africa is at the forefront of this initiative, with over 40 governments embracing the approach.

In her opening remarks, Zuzana Schwidsowski, Director of the Macroeconomics and Governance Division at the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), called for immediate action. “We are entering an era of poly-crises, characterized by multiple shocks, including pandemics, climate change, and economic and financial stresses,” she said. “The need to raise financial resources to accelerate SDG implementation is more urgent now, given that we are less than seven years from attaining Agenda 2030.”

Schwidsowski highlighted the severe financing gap, estimated to range from $200 billion to $1.3 trillion annually, as detailed in the ECA’s Economic Report on Africa 2020. She stressed the importance of domestic resource mobilization and the role of INFFs in integrating national plans with available resources.

The workshop aims to strengthen the capacities of officials and stakeholders to develop effective financing strategies, promote knowledge-sharing, and generate regional dialogue on public finance trends and issues affecting INFF implementation. Serving as a crucial platform for sharing experiences and planning future actions, the insights gained will be essential for the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Spain in 2025.

The implementation of the Proclamation on the Taxation of Urban Houses in Ethiopia has revealed a significant gap in the country’s tax legislation. Despite the importance of property taxes for local development, Ethiopia still lacks a contemporary property tax law framework, resulting in complicated and tedious grievances for taxpayers.

Aschalew Ashagre (PhD), an assistant professor at Addis Ababa University School of Law specializing in property, agriculture, and private sector development, highlighted that a draft property tax law was prepared last year but has since stalled. The absence of property tax provisions in the Ethiopian Constitution further complicates the issue.

The outdated Decree No. 80/1968, enacted in 1971 E.C., governs the taxation of townhouses. This decree covers tax determination, repayment periods, tax rates, and exemptions. However, its five-decade-old framework is not suited to current times and challenges.

“There is a long way to go before the Ethiopian property tax system can be considered modern and effective,” Aschalew stated. He emphasized that there is no legal or institutional framework in place to protect taxpayers’ rights adequately. The process for addressing taxpayer grievances is lengthy, complex, and burdensome, indicating the need for substantial reforms.

These insights were shared during a panel discussion titled “Impact of the Implementation of the Tax System on the Private Sector,” organized by the Addis Chamber in Addis Ababa. The forum underscored the necessity of reviewing Ethiopia’s current tax policy and legislation to ensure they are efficient and conducive to business practices.

Aschalew called for updating the country’s laws and institutions to create a fair, transparent, and accountable tax system that respects taxpayers’ rights and provides fundamental access to justice. He highlighted that Ethiopia’s tax revenue as a percentage of GDP is low compared to sub-Saharan Africa. Domestic income collected through taxes plays a crucial role in the national economy, making it essential to establish a stable and healthy tax system to build a strong and sustainable economy and maintain a stable macroeconomic environment.

The panel discussion concluded with a call for comprehensive tax reforms to align Ethiopia’s tax system with modern standards, protect taxpayer rights, and support the country’s economic growth and development goals.