The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that Africa is responsible for approximately 25% of the global Tuberculosis (TB) cases, even though there is a noted decline in both deaths and new infections in the continent.
Statistics shared by the organisation ahead of the 2026 World TB Day reveal that in 2024, the WHO African Region registered 378,000 TB-related fatalities, and 2.7 million new TB infections were reported during the same timeframe.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Mohamed Janabi, the Regional Director for Africa, described the reported numbers as alarming yet enlightening, emphasizing that these figures expose ongoing deficiencies in diagnosis, treatment, and financial allocations.
Despite the concerning statistics, Mr. Janabi acknowledged that recent data points to significant progress over the past decade across the region.
The report indicated that between 2015 and 2024, deaths from TB decreased by 46%, while the incidence rate fell by 28%, signaling enhanced access to treatment and more effective public health measures.
Country-specific data reveal varying yet promising advancements. For instance, South Africa has met the 2025 target for lowering TB incidence rates, while Mozambique, Tanzania, Togo, and Zambia have achieved a 75% reduction in TB- related deaths.
These improvements have been attributed to stronger national responses, wider adoption of effective treatment strategies, and increased community involvement.
World TB Day is recognized annually on March 24, aiming to promote awareness about TB and to galvanize resources and political backing to combat the disease. The theme for this year is “Yes! We can end TB,” accompanied by the slogan “Led by countries, powered by people.”
The report underscores notable advances in treatment options, particularly for drug-resistant TB. A notable six-month oral treatment regimen, termed BPaLM, has demonstrated over an 85% success rate worldwide, with rapid integration of this treatment making significant headway in Africa.
From 2023 to 2024, the percentage of patients with drug-resistant TB receiving shorter treatment regimens surged from nearly zero to approximately 40%, the fastest uptake recorded globally.
WHO also highlighted that the deployment of rapid diagnostic technology is enhancing early TB detection, albeit access remains inconsistent.
However, significant challenges persist, with WHO estimating that about 600,000 individuals with TB in Africa remain undiagnosed or without treatment each year. Furthermore, only slightly over half of patients have access to WHO-recommended rapid diagnostic tests.
Additionally, about 62,000 individuals develop rifampicin-resistant TB annually, further complicating the public health landscape.
Economically, TB continues to exert a severe financial burden on affected families, with nearly 70% of households dealing with TB experiencing catastrophic health expenses—the highest rate globally recorded in Africa.
The report indicates a substantial funding gap for TB control initiatives in the region. WHO estimates that approximately $4.5 billion is needed each year for an effective TB response, yet funding currently lags by roughly $3.6 billion.
Mr. Janabi warned that without a boost in domestic funding and sustained political dedication, forward momentum may stall. He referenced commitments made during the 2023 United Nations High-Level Meeting on TB, urging governments to enhance efforts to deliver prevention and treatment services to 90% of those affected, reduce deaths by 90%, and eradicate catastrophic costs by 2027.
The agency stressed that enhanced country leadership, increased investments, and community-oriented interventions will be essential to reach these objectives.
In Nigeria, tuberculosis remains a major public health issue as efforts to enhance detection, treatment, and overall management of the disease are being ramped up by health authorities. TB, which is caused by a bacterium predominantly affecting the lungs, often spreads through airborne transmission when an infected person coughs or sneezes, thus making timely diagnosis crucial for controlling its spread.
In a pre-World TB Day press conference held in Abuja, officials from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare announced that new diagnostic technologies are being implemented to expand testing access. They indicated that the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP) is leading the deployment of the Pluslife Mini Dock diagnostic platform, facilitating easier access to molecular testing, especially in underserved regions.
Moreover, a previous report by PREMIUM TIMES highlighted that Nigeria is enhancing its TB response by integrating digital technologies and advanced diagnostic methods to boost case detection and treatment results. It was disclosed that over 450,000 TB cases were diagnosed and treated in 2025, demonstrating the benefits brought about by improved technologies and enhanced data frameworks, particularly in underserved communities.
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