The International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) 2025 presents a strategic opportunity to tackle tuberculosis (TB), a disease that continues to pose a significant public health challenge in Africa, especially among individuals living with HIV (World Health Organization [WHO], 2023). TB is the leading cause of death among HIV-positive people, (UNAIDS 2023), with Africa bearing a substantial share of the global TB burden (WHO, 2023). A TB pre-conference at ICASA 2025 would offer a dedicated platform to emphasise TB-HIV co-infection, mobilise political commitment, and expedite progress toward eliminating TB in Africa (Stop TB Partnership, 2022).
A TB pre-conference would bring together policymakers, researchers, healthcare providers, civil society, and people affected by TB to explore innovative strategies for TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. It would showcase the latest scientific advancements, including new TB diagnostics, shorter treatment regimens, and emerging TB vaccines. Additionally, the pre-conference would promote knowledge-sharing about successful community-based interventions and best practices for integrating TB and HIV services, ensuring a more coordinated response.
Political commitment is crucial in addressing TB, yet it remains inadequate in many African countries. A TB-focused pre-conference would provide a platform to advocate for increased domestic investment in TB programs, stronger health systems, and policies that reduce barriers to care. It would also serve as a call to action for governments to fulfill the commitments made during the United Nations High-Level Meeting (UNHLM) on TB and the WHO End TB Strategy, ensuring accountability and sustained progress (United Nations General Assembly, 2018).
The pre-conference would help strengthen advocacy, knowledge-sharing, and partnerships between global health institutions, donors, and African governments. It would offer an avenue to explore new funding mechanisms, strengthen regional collaborations, and align TB control efforts with broader global health and development goals. The pre-conference can foster multi-sectoral engagement, and catalyse concrete actions that extend beyond ICASA 2025.
The ICASA 2025 TB pre-conference will accelerate Africa’s response to TB and TB-HIV co-infection in the phase of global cuts in financing (Global Fund, 2022), (WHO, 2023). It would elevate TB on the global health agenda, mobilise resources, and foster a more unified and impactful response. This pre-conference would be a crucial step toward ending TB as a public health threat on the continent through increased political commitment, domestic resource mobilization and local actions.
COMMIT.INVEST.DELIVER
1. Background and Rationale
Tuberculosis remains one of Africa’s most pressing public health challenges. Despite progress, the continent faces:
- 25% of global TB cases
- Over 50% of global TB deaths
- High rates of undiagnosed TB
- Limited domestic financing
- Weakening community systems
- Significant TB/HIV co-infection burden
ICASA 2025 provides a unique continental moment to strengthen TB visibility, accelerate political commitments, and galvanize multi-sectoral action.
The TB Pre-Conference will reposition TB as a central priority within:
- the HIV response
- African Union health strategies
- community systems strengthening
- human rights and gender equality frameworks
- the 2023 UNHLM TB targets
- the Africa Health Sovereignty agenda
This convening will bring together diverse stakeholders to discuss evidence, policy, and innovative practices.
2. Goal of the Pre-Conference
To strengthen political engagement, community capacity, and strategic collaboration for advancing Africa’s TB response and achieving the UNHLM TB targets.
3. Objectives
- Elevate TB visibility within ICASA and promote integrated TB-HIV programming.
- Strengthen community and civil society leadership in TB response across Africa.
- Showcase innovations, best practices, and country experiences from governments, CSOs, youth, and TB survivors.
- Promote accountability mechanisms, including scorecards, domestic financing, and monitoring of HLM targets.
- Facilitate partnerships between governments, donors, regional bodies, and communities.
4. Expected Outcomes
- Renewed commitments to advancing TB targets across African countries.
- Stronger community structures and regional networks.
- Actionable recommendations for TB-HIV integration.
- Enhanced visibility of community voices — survivors, youth, and grassroots groups.
- Strengthened partnerships with donors and regional health bodies.
- Documentation of key policy asks to guide advocacy throughout 2026.
5. Event Description
The pre-conference is a one-day high-level event at the Accra International Conference Center following a long week of ICASA 2-8 December featuring:
- Plenary sessions
- Technical and community panels
- High-level dialogue with policymakers
- Showcases from TB survivors and youth
- Best practice exhibitions
- Partnership marketplace
- Launch of advocacy briefs and scorecards
The format blends technical discussions with community empowerment and political messaging.
6. Participants
Expected participants include:
- Government ministries (Health, Finance, AU representation)
- National TB and HIV Programmes
- TB survivors and community networks
- Youth-led organisations
- Donors and global health partners
- CSOs from at least 20 African countries
- AU-CDC, Stop TB Partnership, WHO Afro
- Media and accountability groups
Contact ICASA TB
Pre-Conference
Secretariat
Email:
TB.ICASA2025@actafrique.org
News.ICASA2025@actafrique.org
SEC.ICASA2025@actafrique.org
Phone:
+233 20 749 0875
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TB ICASA ACCOUNT DETAILS |
Sponsorship Resource | Download |
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Categories TB ICASA Conference 2025 |
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Budget for TB ICASA Conference 2025 |
Sponsorship Resource | Download |