African leaders have called for urgent action to address the growing funding gaps in malaria elimination efforts. The request was made during a high-level fireside discussion organized by the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The outgoing chairman of ALMA, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea Bissau, presided over the session.
The leaders expressed concerns over the substantial budgetary shortfalls and the increasing impact of climate change on malaria control. They stressed the need for accelerated efforts to overcome these challenges and stay on track toward malaria eradication.
In their remarks, the leaders emphasized the dire consequences of inaction. Climate-induced disasters, such as flooding, have led to an increase in malaria outbreaks. Additionally, resistance to insecticides and antimalarial medications is developing, compounding the problem.
President Embaló warned that the funding gap is a serious threat. He highlighted that if current funding levels remain unchanged, there could be an estimated 112 million additional malaria cases between 2027 and 2029, potentially resulting in 280,700 more deaths. “We risk seeing a significant increase in malaria deaths if these gaps are not filled,” he cautioned.
The chairman underscored the importance of replenishing the Global Fund in 2025 and ensuring that malaria remains a priority within its programs. He also called for a multi-sectoral strategy, involving sectors like mining, tourism, agriculture, and environmental management, to ensure both malaria elimination and pandemic preparedness.
The discussion also highlighted the need for $6.3 billion annually to eradicate malaria. Leaders called for increased domestic funding commitments, strengthened partnerships, and better integration of malaria efforts into broader health and development programs.
Chad’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and African Integration, Abderaman Koulamallah, called for policies to strengthen health systems, address climate change, and improve pandemic preparedness. He emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships and innovative financing strategies. He noted that establishing high-level multisectoral councils to combat malaria and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) has helped raise over $72 million across the continent.
The leaders urged African Union (AU) member states to prioritize health investments and use malaria as a model for accessing International Development Association (IDA) funds. The meeting also stressed the importance of global replenishments for IDA, GAVI (the Global Vaccine Alliance), and the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis.
To ensure the effectiveness of these efforts, the session called for the use of accountability mechanisms like scorecards and strategic data to guide decision-making. Ambassador Minata Cessouma, AU Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development, discussed the “Africa by 2030” vision, which aims to reduce the continent’s health burden and achieve universal health coverage.
