African malaria alliance warns funding reductions could reverse progress

A 30% reduction in malaria financing could result in 146 million additional cases in Africa by 2030, the African Leaders Malaria Alliance has warned. ALMA also projected that such a cut could lead to nearly 400,000 deaths and $37bn in lost gross domestic product. The figures were presented at a high-level event on sustainable malaria financing held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.

The event, hosted by Botswana President and ALMA chair Duma Gideon Boko in partnership with the African Union Commission and the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, brought calls for stronger domestic financing and broader coordination. Africa currently accounts for 94% of global malaria cases and 95% of deaths, according to the material. Participants said progress had stalled amid financing shortages, extreme weather, increasing resistance to insecticides and medicines, and humanitarian crises.

They also noted that recent Global Fund and Gavi replenishments had fallen short of targets and that official development assistance for health in Africa was declining. African countries were urged to include malaria control in national budgets and development plans, and to incorporate it into World Bank IDA21 health compacts. Participants also called for a dedicated malaria booster programme under IDA22 and predictable assistance during the transition to greater domestic financing.

WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus said sustained investment was essential to prevent a reversal of progress. He backed national End Malaria Councils and Funds to bring governments, businesses, civil society and communities together around financing and implementation. The Gambia’s vice-president, Muhammad Jallow, cautioned that domestic funding alone could not meet the investment needed for elimination and urged continued international support.