ESPEN Quarterly Stakeholder Webinars
A Platform for Collaboration, Innovation, and Impact
The Expanded Special Project for the Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (ESPEN) has been at the forefront of supporting Member States and partners in their collective fight against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) across Africa. Through data-driven coordination, technical assistance, and cross-country learning, ESPEN has helped accelerate progress toward the 2030 NTD Roadmap targets and strengthen health systems in the most affected regions.
To amplify this impact and foster sustained engagement, ESPEN is launching a new Quarterly Stakeholder Webinar Series — a dynamic, interactive platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and visibility.
Why These Webinars Matter
The ESPEN Stakeholder Webinars are designed to:
Showcase progress and innovation in NTD elimination and control across the African Region;
Engage Member States, donors, and implementing partners in strategic dialogue and partnership building;
Share country experiences that inspire cross-learning and inform integrated health solutions;
Reinforce ESPEN’s position as a strategic platform within WHO/AFRO for coordination, data sharing, and health system strengthening.
Through these quarterly sessions, ESPEN aims to translate technical progress into global advocacy, fostering a more connected and informed NTD community.
A Year-Round Conversation
Held every quarter, the webinars bring together voices from governments, academia, the private sector, and civil society to discuss pressing priorities and emerging trends in NTD elimination. Each session will highlight country-led success stories, technical innovations, and opportunities for partnership, aligning with ESPEN’s 2026-2030 Strategy.
Join the Conversation
Through this quarterly series, ESPEN seeks to strengthen the visibility of Africa’s progress, celebrate innovation, and inspire sustained investment toward a healthier, NTD-free future.
Stay tuned for updates, speaker highlights, and registration details for each upcoming session.
Sessions - Quaterly Webinars
ESPEN’s second Quarterly Stakeholder Webinar brought together 139 participants to explore how digitizing NTD delivery can strengthen health systems. The session highlighted the move from paper-based processes to integrated digital solutions, showcasing practical examples such as digital payments for NTD campaigns and Madagascar’s use of CommCare and mobile money. Discussions emphasized that while the technology is largely in place, successful scale-up depends on country ownership, strong legal and data-governance frameworks, and coordinated multi-sector engagement.
ESPEN launched its Quarterly Webinar Series with a high-level session on repositioning neglected tropical diseases in a challenging global context of funding constraints and competing crises. With over 100 participants, the webinar highlighted recent elimination milestones and shared strategic updates on ESPEN’s technical support, partnerships, and the launch of the new ESPEN Portal. Discussions stressed the importance of sustained commitment, stronger health-system integration, and innovative financing to stay on track toward the 2030 targets.