African Leaders Renew Commitment to Malaria Elimination
African leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to malaria elimination amid stagnating progress and mounting challenges, as President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko of Botswana takes over as Chair of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) from outgoing Chair, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau.
The announcement came during the African Union Summit, where Heads of State and Government underscored the urgent need for increased domestic resource mobilization and innovative financing to combat malaria, which remains one of the deadliest diseases on the continent.
A Defining Moment in Africa’s Fight Against Malaria
The 2024 Africa Malaria Progress Report, released at the Summit, painted a stark picture of stalled progress in the fight against malaria. The report highlighted multiple challenges, including insufficient resources, rapid population growth, climate change, and increasing biological resistance to insecticides and drugs. These factors, coupled with humanitarian crises, have created what leaders described as a “perfect storm” threatening to reverse decades of hard-won gains in malaria control.
“Africa must urgently rise to the challenge by mobilizing domestic resources, including drawing from emergency funds and increasing health budget allocations,”
said newly appointed ALMA Chair, President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko.
He called for the scaling up of innovative financing mechanisms, such as End Malaria Councils and Funds, and leveraging platforms like the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) and the Green Climate Fund.
Outgoing Chair, President Embaló, expressed confidence that under President Boko’s leadership, ALMA would continue to push for stronger commitments to malaria elimination.
The Critical Role of the Global Fund in Malaria Elimination
The Global Fund remains the largest source of funding for malaria programs, accounting for 62% of all international malaria financing. African leaders emphasized that a successful replenishment of the Global Fund is critical to getting malaria elimination efforts back on track.
“Malaria is a pathfinder for health system strengthening, primary healthcare, and pandemic preparedness,”
said Her Excellency Ambassador Minata Samate Cessouma, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development at the African Union Commission.
“This is why we must ensure sufficient resources to address malaria, HIV, and tuberculosis, while also strengthening health systems.”
Scaling Up Next-Generation Tools and Local Manufacturing
To tackle growing resistance to malaria treatments and insecticides, leaders called for the urgent scaling up of next-generation tools, including dual insecticide-treated nets, new malaria medicines, and vaccines. Additionally, they emphasized the importance of manufacturing these tools locally to boost Africa’s self-reliance while creating economic opportunities.
‘Change the Story’ Campaign: Amplifying Children’s Voices
A key highlight of the Summit was the premiere of a new film as part of the international Change the Story campaign. The campaign amplifies the voices of children affected by malaria, urging political leaders to increase investment in malaria elimination.
Award-winning author and Zero Malaria Ambassador, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, lent her support to the campaign, stating,
“We need to listen to children’s voices today because the decisions our leaders make will determine their futures tomorrow. Nigeria carries the greatest malaria burden, and I have seen firsthand how this disease can stunt children’s education, steal their livelihoods, and sometimes take their lives. This is why we urgently need to change the story of malaria.”
One of the featured stories in the campaign film is that of Gloria, a young girl from Mozambique who survived severe flooding that destroyed her home, including the mosquito nets that protected her family from malaria. “Our house was gone. The greedy water took it all—our beds, our mosquito nets, and my favorite toy,” she recalled.
Celebrating Egypt’s Malaria-Free Status
Despite the challenges, the Summit also celebrated a significant milestone: Egypt’s certification as malaria-free by the World Health Organization (WHO). President Boko and Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Acting Regional Director of WHO Africa, presented an award to Egypt’s representative, Ambassador Ashraf Sweilam, recognizing the achievement as proof that malaria elimination is possible.
A Call to Action: Now is the Time to End Malaria
Since 2000, Africa has achieved a 38% reduction in malaria incidence and a 60% reduction in mortality, preventing 1.8 billion cases and saving 11.9 million lives. However, leaders cautioned that without immediate and sustained action, these gains could be lost.
“We must act now and support a big push to accelerate malaria elimination,”
urged President Embaló. “Now is the time for Africa to rise and end malaria once and for all.”
With a renewed sense of urgency and commitment, African leaders hope to change the trajectory of malaria elimination and secure a healthier future for the continent.