Business
WHO Issues Urgent TB Warning as Africa Faces Crisis
WHO warns of urgent tuberculosis crisis in Africa, urging stronger investment and action as the disease continues to kill thousands annually
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has renewed its call for urgent global action to end tuberculosis (TB), warning that the disease continues to pose a severe public health threat across Africa despite recent progress in containment efforts.
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The was issued by Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, in a statement marking World Tuberculosis Day 2026 in Abuja.
The annual commemoration, themed “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver,” highlights the need for stronger political commitment, increased funding, and improved healthcare systems to combat one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases.
Dr Janabi said Africa continues to bear a disproportionate share of the global TB burden, with the disease killing one person every 83 seconds, underscoring what he described as an urgent need for intensified intervention across prevention, diagnosis, and treatment systems.
He revealed that in 2024 alone, tuberculosis claimed 378,000 lives in the WHO African Region and infected 2.7 million people, accounting for roughly a quarter of global cases.
Despite these alarming figures, Dr Janabi noted that significant progress has been recorded in recent years, including a 46 per cent reduction in TB-related deaths and a 28 per cent decline in incidence between 2015 and 2024.
He said several countries, including South Africa, Mozambique, and Tanzania, have made notable strides toward meeting global TB reduction targets through improved healthcare delivery and expanded community engagement.
The WHO tuberculosis Africa warning also highlighted persistent challenges, including funding gaps, undetected cases, and inequalities in access to healthcare services, which continue to slow progress toward elimination.
Dr Janabi stressed that ending TB will require sustained national leadership, stronger domestic and international investment, and empowered communities capable of driving local responses.
He further emphasised that community-led approaches remain essential to improving prevention, diagnosis, and treatment outcomes across the continent.
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The WHO reaffirmed its commitment to supporting member states in accelerating efforts to eliminate tuberculosis as a public health threat, urging renewed global solidarity and action.
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Business
Kola Karim’s Shoreline Group Signs $300 million Deal With Accor to Develop Nigeria’s First National Hotel Platform
Kola Karim’s Shoreline Group has signed a letter of intent with Accor, a world leading hospitality group to establish Nigeria’s first national hotel platform.
The signing took place during the Africa Forward Summit 2026 hosted jointly by Kenya and France in Nairobi.
This ambitious partnership is set to make a significant contribution to the evolving Nigerian hospitality landscape with a substantial investment from Shoreline of $300 million, leveraging Accor’s renowned brand portfolio and expertise.
As gathered the strategic collaboration aims to develop a hotel network across Nigeria, encompassing 10 hotels across eight cities and over 1,200 rooms by 2030.
These properties will span various segments, from midscale to luxury, catering to diverse travelers and contributing significantly to the nation’s tourism growth. The project also includes the establishment of a dedicated hospitality training Academy to nurture local talent and create approximately 1,000 direct jobs.
Mr. Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO of Accor, stated: “We are thrilled to partner with Shoreline Group to unlock the immense potential of Nigeria’s hospitality sector. This partnership is a testament to our belief in Nigeria’s dynamic future.
“By combining Shoreline’s deep understanding of the local market with Accor’s global expertise and diverse brand portfolio, we are poised to create an unparalleled hospitality offering that will set new benchmarks for quality and service.
“Crucially, the establishment of the Accor Academy is integral to this vision, enabling us to deliver immediate talent development for the Shoreline hotel portfolio, demonstrate our long-term commitment to Nigeria through dedicated training facilities, and solidify Accor’s position as the employer and educator of choice in West Africa.”
The Agbaoye of Ibadanland and Chairman of Shoreline Group, Karim, commenting on the development said: “This partnership is central to Shoreline’s strategy of building institutional-quality infrastructure platforms across Africa.
“We anticipate hospitality infrastructure becoming increasingly vital for capital movement and development, particularly in Nigeria where high-quality room supply is underserved. Our choice to partner with Accor highlights our focus on operational excellence and long-term value.
“The hospitality academy is crucial, alongside physical hotels, for developing local talent to sustain international standards. It will support our portfolio and enhance Nigeria’s hospitality workforce.
“This investment aligns with Shoreline’s broader focus on strategic assets in energy, infrastructure, and industrial development. We view hospitality as a natural extension: real infrastructure supporting economic activity, local capability, and national growth.”
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