African leaders call for unified effort against growing malaria crisis in Africa

USA — African leaders, meeting on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), have called for a unified global effort to combat the “Perfect Storm” of converging crises that threaten to undo decades of progress in the fight against malaria.

During a high-level fireside chat hosted by the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA)—a coalition of 55 African Heads of State and Government working to eliminate malaria by 2030—the urgent need to accelerate efforts toward malaria eradication was emphasised.

The leaders highlighted several critical challenges contributing to the current malaria resurgence, including severe financial shortfalls, the effects of climate change, increasing resistance to insecticides and antimalarials, and climate-induced disasters like flooding, which have led to increased malaria outbreaks.

Without significant action, if malaria resources continue to stagnate from 2027 to 2029, there could be an additional 112 million malaria cases and up to 280,700 more deaths.

His Excellency President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, the outgoing chair of ALMA, warned that the growing financial gap poses a severe threat to malaria control efforts.

He cautioned that without immediate action to close these funding gaps, the continent risks seeing a dramatic rise in malaria-related deaths.

In response, the leaders stressed the importance of securing adequate funding for the Global Fund’s replenishment in 2025 and maintaining malaria as a priority within global health financing initiatives.

They emphasized the criticality of a multi-sectoral approach, with collaborations across sectors like agriculture, environment, mining, and tourism essential for malaria elimination, pandemic preparedness, and response.

His Excellency Abderaman Koulamallah, Minister of State and Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Republic of Chad, underscored the necessity of securing US$6.3 billion annually to eliminate malaria.

He emphasized that achieving this goal would require increasing domestic resource commitments, attracting new partnerships, and integrating malaria efforts into broader initiatives such as climate change mitigation, health system strengthening, primary healthcare expansion, and pandemic readiness.

The leaders also pointed to the need for innovative financing mechanisms, urging countries to engage the private sector and expand public-private partnerships.

So far, the launch of multi-sectoral, high-level National End Malaria and NTD (Neglected Tropical Diseases) Councils and Funds has already mobilised over US$72 million, primarily from local private sector partners.

These councils have played a key role in advocating for malaria and NTDs at both national and community levels, ensuring that these health issues remain high on the development and financing agendas.

African Union (AU) Member States were encouraged to prioritize health, with malaria acting as a catalyst for securing World Bank International Development Association (IDA) funding to bridge immediate financial gaps.

In addition, leaders called for strong advocacy to ensure sufficient global replenishments for the IDA, Gavi, and the Global Fund.

They emphasized that these resources are crucial not only for malaria eradication but also for strengthening overall health systems and tackling other health challenges like NTDs and primary healthcare.

To ensure that resources are effectively utilized, the session stressed the importance of strategic information to guide decision-making and the adoption of accountability mechanisms, such as scorecards, to ensure every dollar has maximum impact, particularly in reaching the most affected communities.

Her Excellency Ambassador Minata Samate Cessouma, AU Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development, reiterated that the fight against malaria is not just about ending a single disease but about safeguarding the health and future of the entire African continent.

She added that progress toward malaria elimination, alongside the HIV/AIDS and TB targets outlined in the Catalytic Framework to End AIDS, TB, and Eliminate Malaria by 2030, will lay the foundation for reducing Africa’s health burden and furthering the achievement of universal health goals.

Sign up to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and  insights from Africa and the World HERE