African malaria elimination and financing efforts

African leaders and health officials are advocating for increased domestic financing and sustainable, multisectoral strategies to accelerate malaria elimination. During discussions at the United Nations General Assembly, officials highlighted that Africa accounts for 94% of global malaria cases and 95% of deaths. Concerns were raised regarding financing shortfalls, extreme weather, and insecticide resistance, with warnings that a 30% reduction in funding could lead to hundreds of thousands of additional deaths by 2030.

To reduce reliance on international aid, leaders are emphasizing local manufacturing of essential tools. For example, Tanzania has established local production for biological insecticides and insecticide-treated nets.

In Uganda, the government has launched the Malaria Free Uganda (MFU) board to oversee a five-year, $1.7 billion national elimination plan. The initiative aims to increase the country’s share of malaria financing from 28% to 50% by 2030 through increased domestic resource mobilization and public-private partnerships involving the Treasury and various private sector entities.