Every year, malaria kills hundreds of thousands of people, most of them young African children.
Responding, the World Health Organisation (WHO) says the continent needs about US$45 billion to engage in interventions that would eradicate the disease.
WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Mohamed Janabi stated this in his message ahead of the World Malaria Day.
World Malaria Day is an international observance commemorated every year on 25 April to raise awareness and highlight the global efforts against malaria.
Dr. Mohamed noted that the theme of this year’s World Malaria Day, “Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must” was both a message of hope and an urgent call to action.
“Across the African Region, countries are showing stronger leadership, increasing domestic investment and using innovation to protect those most at risk.
“The malaria response is entering a new phase shaped by country ownership, smarter data use, stronger community engagement and transformative new tools. Elimination is no longer a distant aspiration.
“It is an achievable goal if we act decisively, now.Our Region still carries the world’s heaviest malaria burden. In 2024 alone, nearly 600,000 lives were lost in Africa. Three-quarters of those deaths were among young children. These preventable deaths remind us why progress cannot wait”, he said.
The Regional Director however said there were encouraging signs of momentum as more than ten countries had increased domestic financing for malaria programmes since January 2025.
Furthermore, twenty-five countries were rolling out malaria vaccines, helping protect around 10 million children each year. Next-generation mosquito nets designed to overcome insecticide resistance now account for the vast majority of newly distributed nets.
According to him, “Digital technologies are improving our ability to predict, detect and respond to outbreaks. Plus new vector control innovations are expanding our toolbox”.
He however, lamented that progress was not guaranteed as funding gaps continue to slow the response. “At least US$45 billion will be needed between 2026 and 2030 to meet global malaria targets. Insecticide resistance is widespread. Drug resistance is emerging in some settings. Climate variability is changing transmission patterns. And humanitarian crises and displacement are increasing vulnerability”, he said.
The WHO Regional Director for Africa urged the continent to expedite action for malaria to be eradicated:
“Now we can—because we have stronger political commitment, better data, more engaged communities and more powerful tools than ever before. Now we must—because when investment declines and programmes weaken, malaria returns quickly, reversing hard-won gains and costing lives”, he said.
He therefore sited five essential priorities tk win the fight against malaria: “First, countries must continue to lead the malaria response with strong national ownership. When governments prioritize malaria as a dividend of national development and mobilize domestic resources, they lay the foundation for sustainable impact.
“Second, strategic intelligence must guide action. Robust surveillance systems, improved use of evidence and data analytics allow countries to anticipate threats, deploy interventions more effectively and ensure that resources are used where they can achieve the greatest impact.
“Third, innovation must be accelerated and scaled equitably. The introduction of malaria vaccines, new vector control tools, and improved treatment strategies represents a major step forward. At the same time, strengthening Africa’s research capacity and regional manufacturing can help ensure that innovation benefits those who need it most.
“Fourth, primary health care must remain at the center of the malaria response. People-centered health services delivered through strong community platforms enable early diagnosis, timely treatment and sustained prevention.
“And fifth, ending malaria requires a whole-of-society effort. Environmental, social and economic factors shape malaria transmission. Addressing these requires collaboration across sectors including health, housing, agriculture, education, environment and finance”, he said.
Dr. Mohamed maintained that there must also be active participation of communities. He therefore called on governments, partners, researchers, civil society and communities to grasp this historic opportunity.
“Let us act together so the next generation of African children and pregnant women can live free from the scourge of malaria.
