The first-ever WHO African Region TB Supranational Reference Laboratory Network (WHO/AFR SRL) Meeting in Cotonou, Benin, held from March 26th to 28th, 2025, focused on strengthening laboratory systems to combat tuberculosis (TB) in the African Region (AFR). The East, Central, and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC) organized the event in collaboration with the Uganda National Health Laboratory and Diagnostic Services (NHLDS), supported by a Global Fund grant.

The meeting aimed to review the implementation status of the Global Laboratory Initiative (GLI) Africa Regional framework (2016-2020), operationalize the AFR SRL network, and discuss resource mobilization strategies for SRLs and National Centers of Excellence (NCEs). Participants included representatives from SRLs (Cotonou, Kampala, Alger, and Johannesburg), candidate SRLs (Maputo and Kigali), candidate NCEs (Ethiopia Public Health Institute and Zaria National TB Reference Laboratory), WHO AFRO, the Global Fund, WHO Geneva, and CSOs (Uganda and Benin).

Key discussions covered the global plan for SRLs, the WHO vision for achieving the End TB strategy, and the role of regional bodies in supporting laboratory system strengthening without diluting TB-specific initiatives. Updates on SRL activities highlighted the implementation of regional TB laboratory-strengthening projects, lessons learned, gains made, and prospects.

The investment in the work of the WHO TB Supranational Reference Laboratory network in the WHO African Region contributed significantly to attaining the 2020 milestones, achieving a 24% reduction in incidence and a 42% reduction in mortality compared to the 2015 baseline (2024 Global TB Report). To meet the 2030 SDG and 2023 End TB Strategy targets, more investment in TB laboratory strengthening is needed, as it also contributes to the laboratory system strengthening to support other disease programs on the African continent, said Dr. Jean de Dieu IRAGENA, Focal Person in the WHO/AFR for Diagnostics.

The meeting introduced a revised regional framework for the integrated laboratory system and discussed the operational plan of the AFRO SRL Network. Perspectives from CSOs on strengthening the laboratory ecosystem and ensuring the sustainability of gains were shared. Group work sessions focused on strategies for the regional framework for an integrated laboratory system under HTH and the SRL operational plan, followed by feedback presentations and discussions.

The final day included discussions on sustaining gains and future funding for SRLs, strategies for resource mobilization, and the development of an action plan and next steps. The meeting concluded with closing remarks from key organizations and a visit to the SRL Cotonou facility.

Overall, the meeting emphasized collaboration, strategic planning, and resource mobilization to enhance TB diagnostics and laboratory systems in the AFR.