The African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) has warned that a 30% cut in malaria financing could lead to 146 million additional malaria cases in Africa by 2030. This could also result in nearly 400,000 deaths and $37 billion in lost Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The warning was given at a high-level side event on sustainable malaria financing, held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
The event, titled “Africa’s Leadership for Sustainable Malaria Financing: A Multisectoral Path to Elimination”, was hosted by President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko of Botswana, Chair of ALMA, in partnership with the African Union Commission and the RBM Partnership to End Malaria. African leaders at the event called for stronger domestic financing, multisectoral action, and deeper collaboration to protect gains made in the fight against malaria and accelerate progress towards elimination.
Africa currently accounts for 94% of global malaria cases and 95% of malaria deaths. Progress in reducing malaria cases has stalled, with the risk of a resurgence amid major financing shortfalls, extreme weather events, growing resistance to insecticides and medicines, and humanitarian crises. Recent Global Fund and Gavi replenishments have fallen short of their targets, while official development assistance for health in Africa continues to decline.
African leaders urged countries to institutionalize malaria financing within national budgets and development plans, while calling on development partners to provide predictable support during the transition. They also called on African countries to include malaria control in their World Bank IDA21 health compacts. The leaders further urged the World Bank to consider a dedicated Malaria Booster Programme under IDA22.
WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus emphasized that sustained investment is critical to preventing a reversal of progress against malaria. He said National End Malaria Councils and Funds could provide a practical mechanism for bringing different sectors together to support malaria control and elimination. Every malaria-endemic country should establish and use such a mechanism adapted to its national context.
President Boko of Botswana said Africa has the tools, experience, and leadership to change malaria’s trajectory but needs sustainable financing and collective action to match its ambition of a malaria-free future. He urged countries to pursue a managed transition towards sustainable domestic financing while strengthening political commitment to malaria elimination.
Other speakers at the event, including Muhammad Jallow, Vice President of The Gambia, and Zarau Wendeline Kibwe, Executive Director for the Africa Group 1 Constituency at the World Bank Group, emphasized the need for stronger international partnerships, predictable financing, and increased domestic investment to support countries through the final stages of malaria elimination.
Key points
- A 30% cut in malaria financing could lead to 146 million additional malaria cases in Africa by 2030.
- African leaders are calling for stronger domestic financing, multisectoral action, and deeper collaboration to protect gains made in the fight against malaria.
- The event highlighted cross-border collaboration, local manufacturing, and innovation as important components of malaria elimination.
