On the sidelines of the 38th African Union (AU) Summit, African leaders convened for the annual high-level press briefing on malaria, reaffirming their commitment to ending malaria and accelerating progress towards elimination. Under the theme “Changing the Story on Malaria: A Big Push to Deliver a Malaria-Free Africa”, the event showcased the 2024 Africa Malaria Progress Report, underscoring the need for renewed political commitment and increased financial investment to achieve a malaria-free Africa by 2030.
The briefing marked significant milestones, including the transition of the ALMA Chairmanship from H.E. President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau to H.E. President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko of Botswana, highlighting the continued need for strong leadership in tackling malaria. Additionally, the Republic of Egypt was recognised with an ALMA Award for Excellence, joining Mauritius, Morocco, Algeria, and Cabo Verde as the AU Member States officially certified malaria-free by the World Health Organization (WHO). The launch of the ‘Change the Story’ Campaign further underscored the urgency of action, amplifying the voices of children affected by malaria and calling for greater investment in life-saving interventions.
The 2024 Africa Malaria Progress Report revealed that while malaria deaths have declined by 60% since 2000, progress has stagnated. The continent is facing mounting threats, including insufficient financing, climate change, rapid population growth, insecticide and drug resistance, and humanitarian crises. These challenges form a ‘perfect storm’ that could reverse decades of progress and put malaria elimination further out of reach. Leaders at the briefing called for urgent domestic resource mobilisation and innovative financing mechanisms, leveraging opportunities such as the Global Fund Replenishment, End Malaria Councils and Funds, World Bank IDA, and the Green Climate Fund to ensure malaria programmes are fully funded and equipped.
H.E. President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko of Botswana, newly appointed Chair of ALMA, underscored the need for decisive action and increased investment, “Africa must urgently rise to the challenge by increasing health budget allocations, scaling up innovative financing, and ensuring national programmes are fully equipped to drive the malaria agenda forward. We cannot afford to let malaria reclaim ground. The time for bold action is now”.
In a moment of celebration, the Arab Republic of Egypt received their award for achieving malaria-free status presented by H.E. President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko and Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, WHO Africa’s Acting Regional Director. Egypt’s milestone serves as an example for other nations, demonstrating that malaria elimination is possible with sustained investment and political commitment.
H.E. Ambassador Minata Samate Cessouma, AU Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development underscored the critical role of securing sufficient funding for malaria elimination, particularly through the Global Fund replenishment: “Malaria is a pathfinder for health system strengthening, primary healthcare, and pandemic preparedness. We must ensure the Global Fund replenishment is successful, as it provides 62% of all international malaria funding. Africa’s health security depends on sustained investments.”
She also called on AU Member States to scale up local manufacturing of next-generation malaria tools, including dual insecticide-treated nets, new malaria medicines, and vaccines, to counter emerging biological resistance and improve public health outcomes.
At the heart of the briefing was the premiere of a short film under the ‘Change the Story’ Campaign, which amplifies the voices of children affected by malaria. Through powerful storytelling, the Campaign highlights the devastating impact of malaria on children’s health, education, and future, urging leaders to take decisive action.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Nigeria’s Zero Malaria Ambassador, added her voice to the call for urgent investment, saying “Nigeria carries the highest malaria burden in the world. I have seen how malaria disrupts lives, education, and livelihoods. We must change the story of malaria, and that starts with increased investment and action at every level.”
Through the new campaign film, we learn about the devastating impact of severe flooding through the compelling story of a young girl, Gloria, who lives in Boane, Mozambique, “I remember when the sky got really angry. The rain came down so hard it was like elephants dancing on the roof. The roof flew away and the house started to fill with water. Our house was gone, the greedy water took it all - our beds, our mosquito nets and my favourite toy. We ran to school to hide. It was the scariest time of my life,” shared Gloria.
The campaign was launched as a direct call to action for global leaders, urging them to support the Global Fund Replenishment and ensure increased domestic financing to fast-track malaria elimination.
The press briefing concluded with a renewed call for bold and collective action for African leaders, policymakers, and global partners to scale up investments toward malaria elimination. Leaders emphasised the need for a successful Global Fund Replenishment, recognising its crucial role in sustaining malaria control efforts. Fast-tracking the deployment of next-generation malaria interventions, including vaccines, new insecticides, and treatments, was highlighted as essential to combat emerging threats. Finally, leaders underscored the importance of expanding community engagement through End Malaria Councils, leveraging multi-sectoral partnerships to drive sustained impact.
The commitments made at the briefing align with AU Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want, the Catalytic Framework to End AIDS, TB, and Malaria, and the Africa Health Strategy (2016-2030), positioning malaria elimination as a key driver of Africa’s health and development agenda. With renewed political commitment, increased investment, and stronger accountability mechanisms, African leaders are determined to change the story of malaria—ensuring a healthier, more prosperous future for the next generation.
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For further information, please contact:
Ms. Whitney Mwangi I Health Communication and Advocacy Specialist | Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development | African Union Commission | E-mail: WhitneyM@africa-union.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |Mr. Thomas Davies I African Leaders Malaria Alliance | E-mail: TDavies@alma2030.org | Web: TDavies@alma2030 www.alma2030.org
Media Contact:
Ms. Janet Faith Adhiambo Ochieng | Communications Officer-Agenda 2063 | African Union Commission | Email: ochiengj@africa-union.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org
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