African Leaders Call for Increased Domestic Financing to Combat Malaria

NEW YORK, Sept. 25, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- African leaders have convened at the 81st United Nations General Assembly to call for increased domestic financing and multisectoral collaboration to accelerate the elimination of malaria.

Africa accounts for 94% of the world's malaria cases and 95% of its malaria deaths. However, progress has stalled, and the risk of resurgence is increasing due to significant financing shortfalls, extreme weather events, growing insecticide and medicine resistance, 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. According to ALMA and Malaria No More UK, a 30% reduction in malaria financing could result in 146 million additional cases, nearly 400,000 additional deaths, and a loss of US$37 billion in GDP by 2030.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, emphasized the importance of sustained investment. The call for a managed transition to sustainable domestic financing was echoed by H.E. Muhammad B. S. Jallow, Vice President of The Gambia, who stressed the need for stronger international partnerships and predictable financing to support countries through the final stages of elimination.

National End Malaria Councils and Funds were highlighted as practical mechanisms to drive multisectoral action. These councils have mobilized more than US$245 million to bridge funding and resource gaps for national programmes, while putting malaria higher on national development agendas.

The event also saw strong commitments from various African countries. South Africa, as chair of the Southern African Development Community, committed to stronger cross-border collaboration towards regional elimination. Zimbabwe and Angola pledged to local manufacturing of nets and medicines, while Tanzania set out how local manufacturing has become national policy. Tanzanian Minister of Health, Hon. Mohamed Omary Mchengerwa, highlighted the work being done at the Ifakara Health Institute, where scientists are working on gene drive technology.

The Global Fund, the Gates Foundation, and Gavi all stood behind Africa's lead, committing to mobilize more resources and support. The Global Fund vowed to mobilize more money, stressing that national leadership and sustained domestic resourcing must drive elimination. The Gates Foundation will continue to support the development of new products, following the lead of African countries. GLIDE offered collaboration and support to ministries of health, while Gavi committed to getting the malaria vaccine to the children who need it the most.

Leaders called on countries in Africa to include malaria control in their World Bank IDA21 health compacts and urged the World Bank to consider a dedicated Malaria Booster Programme under IDA22. The event forms part of the Big Push against Malaria, a country-led approach aligned with the African Union's Roadmap to 2030 and Beyond and broader health development agenda. It aims to accelerate progress towards malaria elimination through sustained political leadership, stronger domestic financing, multisectoral accountability, and coordinated action across borders.