RAFET 2025: Strengthening Francophone Collaboration for Trachoma Elimination
The 2025 annual meeting of RAFET (Réseau Africain Francophone pour l’Elimination du Trachome) convened on 17–18 September in Dakar, Senegal, hosted by the Ministry of Health. Since its inception in 2017, RAFET has served as a vital platform for francophone African countries to share experiences, strengthen technical capacity, and accelerate progress toward eliminating trachoma as a public health problem.
This year’s meeting brought together over 50 participants including national trachoma focal persons from 12 francophone countries, coordinators from Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau, and representatives from WHO, donors, and implementing partners. The event was officially opened by the Directeur de Cabinet of the Minister of Health of Senegal, underscoring the country’s commitment to elimination of NTDs.
This RAFET meeting was unique in that Burundi, Mauritania, and Senegal became the latest countries to achieve validation in 2025 in the WHO African Region. Their success brings the total to six francophone nations among the nine validated countries in the African Region, marking a significant milestone in regional elimination progress.
Throughout the two days, participants shared insights and strategies on:
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Strengthening surveillance systems and integrating trachoma into national health platforms
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Addressing challenges in districts with persistent or recurring trachoma
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Implementing programs in insecure settings
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Navigating the impact of the abrupt withdrawal of USAID funding
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Advancing dossier preparation in endemic countries
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Exploring complementary indicators and serological thresholds for decision-making
Representing WHO/AFRO ESPEN, Dr Amir Kello, contributed to the meeting by engaging in discussions and supporting capacity building of national trachoma programme coordinators. He presented key updates on complementary indicators and serological thresholds to guide programmatic decisions, shared practical experiences from dossier preparation using WHO guidelines and provided the regional status of trachoma.
Building on Success: The Road Ahead
While the progress is commendable, the meeting also served as a reminder that sustaining gains requires urgent and coordinated action. The withdrawal of key funding sources and the need for stronger integration into national systems highlight the importance of advocacy, domestic investment, and partner alignment.
RAFET continues to be a driving force in the region—but its success depends on renewed commitment, innovation, and solidarity. The momentum built in Dakar must translate into concrete steps to ensure no country is left behind in the journey toward trachoma elimination.