“When the drumbeat changes, and we have seen the drumbeat changing, we need to adjust our dance steps. We need to adjust to ensure that we’re able to mobilise internally on the African continent for more resources to fight against malaria.” — Dr. Michael Adekunle Charles, CEO, RBM Partnership to End Malaria.
As global health financing shrinks, malaria remains one of Africa’s most persistent and deadly challenges. In 2023, Africa accounted for 94% of all malaria cases and 95% of related deaths, with children under five at the highest risk. Yet, as funding uncertainty looms and donor support declines, the progress we’ve made in combating malaria is under threat.
But there is hope. Malaria vaccines – developed and tested in partnership with African scientists and communities – offer a powerful new tool to reduce the severity of this deadly disease. As nations grapple with limited resources and competing priorities, integrating these vaccines with proven methods like bed nets and antimalarial treatments can provide comprehensive protection, saving lives and making significant strides towards malaria elimination. The challenge now is turning availability into access and impact, ensuring that vaccines reach even the most remote communities.
Leveraging Cost-Effective Tools for a Malaria-Free Future
In today’s uncertain funding environment, we cannot afford to reinvent the wheel. The time has come to integrate cost-effective solutions into existing health systems and focus on country-led approaches to fight malaria.
On World Malaria Day 2025, Amref Health Africa and Axum hosted a thought-provoking Africa Dialogues session on Scaling Malaria Vaccines in a Shifting World, where distinguished African leaders, researchers, and civil society advocates gathered to discuss how countries can allocate resources effectively to support prevention and promotion efforts.
Throughout the panel discussion, leaders called for reinvestment in existing malaria prevention tools, reimagining regulatory frameworks to streamline access to life-saving interventions, and a renewed focus on community engagement to build resilient health systems.
Reinvest in Evidence-Based Interventions
In a time of shifting funding landscape, countries must prioritise evidence-based planning and ensure the targeted rollout of proven malaria prevention methods. Dr Mehreen Datoo, Clinical Lecturer in Infectious Disease at the University of Oxford, pointed out the urgent need: “Tens of millions of children are at risk of malaria, and we must manufacture tools in equal measure to meet this demand.” As Africa strengthens its local vaccine industry, global partners such as the Serum Institute of India stand ready to supply affordable doses of breakthrough malaria vaccines—up to 200 million doses, making them accessible to countries with limited budgets.
Professor Halidou Tinto, Regional Director at the Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé in Burkina Faso, echoed this sentiment, emphasising the importance of collaboration between local scientists and global industry players to deploy these tools effectively and save lives today, while also working on future innovations for even more efficient vaccine delivery.
Reimagine Sustainable Financing and Streamline Regulatory Frameworks
In an era of financial uncertainty, streamlining processes across borders is crucial. Dr. Michael Adekunle Charles highlighted the economic advantages of investing in malaria prevention, noting, “$1 invested in malaria will generate $40 USD in economic growth.” Zacharia Kafuko, 1Day Africa Director at 1Day Sooner, added that cross-country collaboration is essential to eliminate bureaucracy, expediting the introduction of malaria prevention tools and saving lives in the process. With 1,000 children dying of malaria every day, reducing delays in regulatory approvals can save countless lives.
Reignite Community Engagement and Trust
Malaria control does not lie in the hands of experts alone. Olivia Ngou, Global Coordinator of CS4ME and Executive Director of Impact Santé Afrique, reminded us that community involvement is crucial. “While experts often focus on insecticide resistance, communities and human behaviours are part of the problem,” she said. Addressing malaria requires more than technical interventions—it demands robust community engagement, trust-building, and education to ensure that life-saving interventions reach everyone equitably.
A Call to Action: Together, We Can Beat Malaria
The vision of a malaria-free Africa is within reach. The political will exists, and with renewed focus and action, we can turn words into reality. This World Immunisation Week, we are reminded that the fight against malaria is both an individual and collective responsibility.
Integrating malaria vaccines into routine immunisation programmes, combined with other preventative tools, is essential. Governments, civil society, researchers, and the private sector must come together and adopt a whole-of-society approach to eliminate this deadly disease.
On behalf of Amref Health Africa, I call on all partners to recommit to this fight. By reallocating resources, strengthening primary healthcare systems, and re-engaging communities, we can make malaria history. Ending malaria starts with me, starts with you, starts with all of us. Together, we can beat this disease.
If you missed the Africa Dialogues, you can access the recording here.
Author: Dr. Githinji Gitahi, Group CEO, Amref Health Africa