Heads of state call for urgent action as continent faces stalled progress and funding gaps...

African Heads of State and Government on Monday called for a new era of malaria financing at the 39th African Union Summit in Ethiopia.

The initiative comes amid stalled progress, declining international funding, and increasing threats from the disease, according to a statement issued in Addis Ababa.

The African Union Malaria Progress Report 2025, presented by President Advocate Duma Boko of Botswana and Chair of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance, warns that without urgent action, Africa risks losing decades of hard-won gains against malaria.

A World Health Organisation report indicates that the WHO African Region continues to bear a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden.

In 2024, the region accounted for about 95 per cent of all malaria cases and deaths, with children under five representing roughly 76 per cent of fatalities.

Over half of the deaths occurred in Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Niger. African Union member states collectively recorded 270.8 million malaria cases and 594,119 deaths, representing 96 per cent and 97 per cent of the global totals respectively.

The report notes that progress has stalled since 2015, with only five member states meeting the 2025 Catalytic Framework targets of reducing malaria incidence or mortality by 75 per cent. These targets aim to end AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria in Africa by 2030.

A projected 30 per cent reduction in funding could result in 640 million fewer insecticide-treated nets, 146 million additional malaria cases, 397,000 extra deaths, and a loss of $37 billion in GDP by 2030. Without immediate intervention, malaria cases could surpass 400 million annually, with deaths exceeding one million.

President Boko said that declining official development assistance and shortfalls in the Global Fund replenishment threaten to reverse progress that has prevented 1.64 billion cases and saved 12.4 million lives since 2000.

In response, African leaders reaffirmed their commitment to domestic resource mobilisation, innovative financing, and national health financing sustainability plans.

End Malaria Councils and Funds in 12 countries have mobilised over $200 million through public-private partnerships, showing the potential of multisector collaboration.

The report also highlights advances in malaria prevention tools. In 2025, 74 per cent of distributed insecticide-treated nets were next-generation dual active-ingredient nets, up from 20 per cent in 2023.

Twenty-four countries have introduced WHO-approved malaria vaccines for children under five, distributing 28.3 million doses.

Two spatial repellent products received WHO prequalification, and 22 countries plan seasonal malaria chemoprevention programs.

African leaders stressed the importance of local manufacturing to improve affordability, access, and supply chain resilience, noting that the continent currently imports 99 per cent of vaccines and 95 per cent of medicines.

Nigeria is working to produce antimalarial treatments, rapid diagnostic tests, and next-generation nets locally.

They called on member states and international partners to prioritise malaria financing, align support with national strategies, and fully implement the Catalytic Framework through a Big Push Against Malaria.

Leaders emphasised that sustained investment and determined leadership can bend the curve towards malaria elimination and protect future generations.