Dear malaria community,

On this year’s World Malaria Day, we stand at a pivotal juncture in the continent’s fight against malaria.

Last year, we celebrated malaria elimination in Cabo Verde and Egypt. But, there is no denying that we are now facing unparalleled challenges.

Our fight is complicated by a convergence of challenges, a perfect storm, including significant funding shortfalls, climate change, insecticide and drug resistance and humanitarian crises. Separately, these challenges would be difficult to overcome. But, together, they pose a threat of devastating proportions.

This World Malaria Day, the Chair of ALMA, President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko of Botswana, and the host of ALMA Headquarters, Her Excellency President Samia Suluhu Hassan of the United Republic of Tanzania, have co-authored lead articles in both Botswana and Tanzania with a clear message.

Africa must unite across all sectors, stakeholder groups, communities and across countries and subregions to collectively invest in the fight against malaria and rid the continent of the scourge once and for all. This was true at ALMA’s founding and remains just as true today.

We are witnessing upsurges in malaria across the continent that demand bold political leadership from Heads of State and Government, demonstrated by the commitment to action and a big push at the AU Summit in February this year. African countries continue to prioritise malaria at the highest levels, recognising it as a national development issue, not just a health concern. This sustained commitment has led many countries to establish national End Malaria Councils, which are homegrown platforms that bring together business leaders, government, civil society, faith-based organisations, youth and other partners. To date, these councils have helped mobilise over $125 million in domestic resources.

Even whilst Africa’s ownership is growing stronger, the continent has had dependable international financing. The Global Fund is seeking replenishment this year and funding partners across the globe are urged to sustain this critical high-return investment. President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko of Botswana has applauded this vital partnership, that protects productivity levels in Africa and protects critical industries and trade. Working with Malaria No More UK and the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, we are telling how these investments are changing the story on malaria, how these investments are bringing us closer to the Africa we want; free of malaria.

We must change the story and accelerate progress, with a ‘Big Push’ that deepens political commitment, broadens multisectoral engagement, scales up resource mobilisation, ensures that resources are used efficiently and speeds up the introduction of fit-for purpose tools to fight malaria. Let us seize this moment and work together to turn the goal of malaria elimination into a reality for our continent.

President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko, President of the Republic of Botswana and ALMA chair

Over the next few days, we will see examples of Africa’s leadership in the malaria fight with the launch of national End Malaria Councils, resource commitments, youth leadership amongst many other announcements. We encourage you all to follow along on our website and social media (Twitter and LinkedIn) for all the announcements!

This World Malaria Day, we call for the replenishment of the Global Fund, intensified resource mobilisation and a rapid introduction and scale up of new interventions and commodities.

In these moments of challenge, we can all play our part to unlock a malaria-free Africa. Thank you for your vital contributions to the malaria fight. Zero Malaria Starts with Me and with You.

Joy Phumaphi
Executive Secretary, ALMA

It’s time to Change the Story

Children are the most vulnerable to malaria and yet their voices often go unheard.

We are facing a perfect storm of challenges. Extreme weather events, humanitarian crises, economic instability, insecticide and drug resistance, and significant funding shortfalls are making the fight against malaria harder.

We must listen to children’s stories to better understand the impact of malaria on their lives. Let us amplify their voices for a malaria-free Africa.

Learn more about the Change the Story campaign.