1. Summary Introduction

From November 18th to 20th, Malawi hosted a high-level meeting aimed at advocating for a 33% increase in funding for tuberculosis (TB) elimination efforts. The event brought together government representatives, global health stakeholders to discuss strategies to close the funding gap for TB elimination and accelerate progress toward global TB goals. The Anglophone and Lusophone Africa Regional TB Meeting was mainly focused on Strengthening Advocacy for Enhanced Investment and Accountability which is a Pathway to Ending TB in Africa by 2030.

The meeting was jointly hosted by the Eastern Africa National Networks of AIDS and Health Service Organizations (EANNASO), FACT Malawi, and the Africa Coalition on TB (ACT Africa) with support from the Stop TB Partnership through the Challenge Facility for Civil Society which brought together over 80 stakeholders from 13 countries, including civil society, TB-affected communities, National TB Programs, WHO, Stop TB Partnership, and Global Fund amongst others to discuss strategies for closing the TB funding gap and  improving advocacy efforts, and ensuring that community-led initiatives for effective implementation to accelerate progress toward ending in Africa.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases globally, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries. Despite TB being preventable and curable, funding gaps continue to undermine efforts to eliminate the disease. The meeting was mainly focused to urge the Global Fund to increase TB funding by 33% and call for strengthened mobilization of domestic resources to complement global efforts.