- At the 39th African Union Summit, African Heads of State and Government called for renewed malaria financing, citing stalled progress due to declining international aid and low domestic investment.
- The African Union Malaria Progress Report 2025, presented by President Duma Boko, revealed that the WHO African Region accounted for 270.8 million malaria cases and 594,119 deaths in 2024, with children under five most affected
- Leaders pledged domestic resource mobilisation, innovative financing, and full implementation of the Catalytic Framework, urging public-private partnerships and international support to achieve malaria elimination and safeguard economic growth
African Heads of State and Government have issued a unified appeal for a renewed approach to malaria financing, stressing urgent action at the 39th African Union Summit held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
In a statement released on Monday, the leaders highlighted that progress in malaria control across the continent has stalled due to declining international funding, intensifying threats, and stagnating domestic investments. The call comes amid alarming statistics in the African Union Malaria Progress Report 2025, presented by President Advocate Duma Boko of Botswana and Chair of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA), which warned that decades of progress are at risk without immediate intervention.
According to the report, the WHO African Region continues to carry a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. In 2024, the region accounted for 270.8 million malaria cases—96% of the global total—and 594,119 deaths, 97% globally, with children under five accounting for 76% of fatalities. Nigeria (31.9%), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (11.7%), and Niger (6.1%) together recorded more than half of these deaths.
The AU report indicated that progress had plateaued since 2015, with only five member states meeting the 2025 Catalytic Framework targets of reducing malaria incidence or mortality by 75%. The framework forms part of the continent’s strategy to eliminate malaria and end AIDS and tuberculosis by 2030.
Leaders warned that a 30% reduction in funding could result in 640 million fewer insecticide-treated nets, 146 million additional malaria cases, 397,000 additional deaths—75% among children under five—and a potential loss of $37 billion in GDP by 2030.
“The perfect storm of converging crises threatening malaria elimination has intensified. Official Development Assistance for health in Africa has declined by 70% in just four years,” President Boko stated. “We cannot allow these challenges to reverse decades of progress that have prevented 1.64 billion cases and saved 12.4 million lives since 2000.”
In response, African leaders committed to domestic resource mobilisation, innovative financing mechanisms, and national health financing sustainability plans. Public-private partnerships in 12 countries have already mobilised over $200 million, demonstrating the potential of multisectoral collaboration.
Significant progress in deploying innovative tools was also noted. In 2025, 74% of insecticide-treated nets distributed were next-generation dual active-ingredient nets, and 24 countries introduced WHO-approved malaria vaccines for children under five, distributing 28.3 million doses. Seasonal malaria chemoprevention is planned in 22 countries, while local manufacturing efforts are being expanded to ensure supply chain resilience.
“Our approach spans the full spectrum of what it takes to beat this disease. African science, by African researchers, addressing an African challenge,” said H.E. Samia Hassan, referencing the Ifakara Health Institute in Tanzania and innovations like gene drive technology.
The summit concluded with a call for member states to prioritise malaria as a central pillar of health sovereignty and economic transformation, increase domestic and external funding, and fully implement the Catalytic Framework through a “Big Push Against Malaria.” International partners were urged to honour commitments, align support with national strategies, and invest in next-generation tools and resilient health systems to secure a malaria-free Africa.
Dr Michael Charles, CEO of the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, emphasised, “Full deployment of existing and new tools, combined with full funding, could save over 13.2 million lives over the next 15 years and boost African economies by over $140 billion. Every dollar invested delivers $19 in returns.”
The summit underscored that with determined leadership, sustained investment, and the smart use of data, Africa can bend the curve toward malaria elimination and safeguard future generations.