Progress against malaria in the African region has slowed considerably, with malaria cases declining by only 5% since 2015 and mortality rates falling by 16%, far short of the 75% reduction target set for 2025. Without accelerated efforts, the region risks missing the 2030 targets outlined in the Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016–2030, which aims for at least a 90% reduction in global malaria incidence and mortality rates by 2030.
Several factors are hindering progress, including weak health systems with delayed access to quality care, the impacts of conflicts and natural disasters, insufficient domestic financing, and climate change. Additionally, widespread insecticide resistance, growing resistance to diagnostics and antimalarial drugs, and limited coordination among stakeholders have contributed to the stagnation. Economic constraints and competing national priorities have prevented many African governments from meeting their domestic financing commitments, with global malaria funding reaching only US$4 billion in 2023 compared with the US$8.3 billion needed. Approximately 63% of funding came from international sources, and recent cuts or shifts in global financing could further threaten gains while also prompting a reassessment of malaria funding models.
During the Seventy-fifth session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa held in Lusaka, Zambia from 25 to 27 August 2025, African health ministers called for urgent action to accelerate malaria prevention and control. They agreed to strengthen local institutional capacity, train and retain skilled health workers—including community health workers—improve supply chains for malaria commodities through pooled procurement and local manufacturing, and enhance data-driven use of cost-effective interventions, including malaria vaccination. Ministers also emphasized the need to increase domestic funding, improve coordination, and enhance accountability among governments and stakeholders.
Dr. Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, highlighted the urgency of the situation, stating that while progress has been made, cases and deaths are not declining fast enough. He stressed that ending malaria is essential not only for saving lives but also for unlocking human potential, fostering economic growth, and ensuring Africa’s stability.
Over the past two decades, expanded malaria control efforts have averted approximately 2.2 billion cases and 12.7 million deaths. Coverage of malaria interventions has increased, with insecticide-treated net use rising from 46% in 2021 to 59% in 2023. Seasonal malaria chemoprevention reached 53 million children across 18 countries by 2023, up from 200,000 in 2012. By July 2025, nearly 6 million children in 20 countries had received malaria vaccines.
Some progress toward malaria elimination has also been observed. Algeria (2019) and Cabo Verde (2024) were certified malaria-free, while Rwanda and Sao Tome and Principe are on track to meet 2025 targets for case incidence reduction and mortality reduction, respectively. These successes demonstrate that tailored, data-driven strategies can deliver life-saving results. With sustained commitment, it remains possible to end malaria in the African region.
