WHAT: Joint press conference by H.E. President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko of the Republic of Botswana, the African Union Commission, and the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) on the Progress of Malaria Elimination in Africa.

WHEN: Saturday, 14 February 2026, 12:00 – 12: 45 PM EAT

WHERE: Medium Conference Hall, African Union Commission, Addis Ababa, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

WHY: At the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly, H.E. President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko of the Republic of Botswana, supported by the African Union Commission, African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA), and RBM Partnership to End Malaria will hold a joint press conference to present the 2025 African Union Malaria Progress Report. African Union Member States account for 96% of global malaria cases and 97% of malaria-related deaths.

Progress against malaria has stalled since 2015, and a projected 30% reduction in funding could lead to 146 million additional cases and 397,000 preventable deaths by 2030. The press conference takes place as elimination efforts face an unprecedented “perfect storm” of challenges, including critical financial shortfalls, climate-driven upsurges, and rising insecticide resistance.

African leaders will outline priorities under the “Big Push” Against Malaria, including efforts to advance health sovereignty through local manufacturing, address the 70% drop in ODA through domestic resource mobilization and End Malaria Councils, and deploy next-generation tools to counter insecticide resistance and climate-driven outbreaks.

The Africa Malaria Progress Report: The Africa Malaria Progress Report is an annual publication prepared by the African Union Commission, African Leaders Malaria Alliance, and RBM Partnership to End Malaria. It tracks progress against the AU Catalytic Framework targets, highlights challenges and threats to malaria elimination, and documents Member State actions to accelerate progress. The report is presented annually by the ALMA Chair to the Heads of State and Government during the African Union Summit.

About ALMA: Founded in 2009, the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) is a ground-breaking coalition of African Heads of State and Government working across country and regional borders to achieve a malaria-free Africa by 2030. www.alma2030.org

NOTES TO EDITORS

The African Union Malaria Progress Report 2025 is available for download at: www.au.int and www.alma2030.org

OBJECTIVES

• To present the findings of the 2025 Africa Malaria Progress Report, including the progress made, challenges faced, and key threats to malaria elimination
• To call for a united effort to increase funding for malaria programmes, particularly through increased domestic resources, sustained financing plans, and public-private partnerships

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

• Presentation of the findings of the 2025 Africa Malaria Progress Report, including the progress made, challenges faced, and key threats to malaria elimination
• A call for a united effort to increase funding for malaria programmes, particularly through increased domestic resources, sustained financing plans, and public-private partnerships

SPEAKERS

• President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko, President of the Republic of Botswana and ALMA Chair
• Additional Heads of State and Government (to be confirmed)
• H.E. Ambassador Amma Twum-Amoah, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, African Union Commission
• Dr. Michael Adekunle Charles, CEO, RBM Partnership to End Malaria
• Moderator: Mrs. Leslie Richer, Director for Information and Communication, African Union Commission

Zero Malaria Starts with Me. Zero Malaria Starts with You.

For further information, please contact:

Ms. Inas Mubarak Yahia Abbas | Head of Division, Health Systems, Diseases and Nutrition E-mail: AbbasI@africanunion.org  

African Leaders Malaria Alliance: Thomas Davies | TDavies@alma2030.org | www.alma2030.org

African Media Agency: Eloïne Barry | Eloine.barry@africanmediaagency.com

For media Enquiries, please contact:

Molalet Tsedeke Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission | E-mai: MolaletT@africanunion.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 

Godstime Gaius Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission | E-mail: GaiusG@africanunion.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia