African leaders push for increased malaria funding at AU summit
African Heads of State and Government have united to demand stronger financing for malaria elimination efforts at the 39th African Union Summit in Ethiopia. The call comes amid stalled progress, declining international funding, and growing threats to decades of gains against malaria. President Advocate Duma Boko of Botswana and Chair of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) presented alarming statistics and urged urgent action. The leaders highlighted the importance of domestic resource mobilisation, innovative financing, and multisectoral partnerships to secure a malaria-free future for Africa.
What we know
- At the 39th African Union Summit in Ethiopia, African leaders called for a new era of malaria financing.
- The African Union Malaria Progress Report 2025, presented by President Advocate Duma Boko, warns of stalled progress and the risk of losing hard-won gains.
- In 2024, the WHO African Region accounted for about 95% of all malaria cases and deaths, with children under five making up 76% of malaria deaths.
- Only five member states have achieved the 2025 Catalytic Framework targets for reducing malaria incidence or mortality by 75%.
- Leaders urged increased domestic and external funding, innovative partnerships, and the full implementation of the Catalytic Framework to end malaria in Africa.
