Bobo-Dioulasso, 25 April 2025 – The African Leaders Malaria Alliance congratulates the Republic of Burkina Faso on launching its national End Malaria Council, making it the first francophone country to establish such a platform. The council will drive cross-sectoral leadership and resource mobilisation in the fight against malaria.

The launch, which took place during Burkina Faso’s World Malaria Day commemorations in Bobo-Dioulasso, the country’s second-largest city, was presided over by the Minister of Territorial Administration, Honourable Mr. Émile Zerbo, and was attended by senior representatives from government, civil society, the private sector, faith-based organisations, and development partners. Honourable Ministers present included Dr. Robert Lucien Jean-Claude Kargougou, Minister of Health and Public Hygiene; Mr. Jacques Sosthène Dingara, Minister of National Education, Literacy and Promotion of National Languages; and Dr. Boubacar Sawadogo, Minister of Secondary Education and Professional Training. All regional governors and representatives from various public institutions also participated.

The fight against malaria is not just the responsibility of the health sector. It is an effort that involves every sector, be it education, administration, and beyond. We can only defeat malaria if all sectors work together with unity and shared purpose.

Mr. Émile Zerbo, Minister of Territorial Administration

The Burkina Faso End Malaria Council is composed of 30 senior leaders who are responsible for seeing the country’s new multisectoral malaria elimination strategy mainstreamed across all sectors and at all levels of society. As part of this strategy, the council has recruited more than 100 national and subnational malaria champions to help support these efforts across the country. At the launch, each council member signed a public declaration of commitment, affirming their shared responsibility to help end malaria and contribute to the country’s broader health and development goals.

Malaria remains a leading public health challenge in Burkina Faso and is the top cause of illness and death. In 2023 alone, the country reported over 12 million cases and more than 4,000 deaths, most of them among children under five. The continued prevalence of malaria places immense pressure on the health system and contributes significantly to the overall disease burden. Burkina Faso is one of 11 African countries that collectively account for nearly two-thirds of the global malaria burden.

Burkina Faso is demonstrating that true national ownership comes taking action, not just making plans. This council reflects the country’s determination to lead its malaria response in a way that fits its own systems and priorities. It’s also a powerful example to the rest of the continent that when sectors work together, real impact is possible.

Joy Phumaphi, ALMA Executive Secretary who attended the launch in Bobo-Dioulasso

This launch comes at a time when Africa is facing a perfect storm of challenges including extreme weather events, rising resistance to insecticides and treatments, and growing uncertainty in global financing. A Big Push is required to accelerate progress. This includes stronger domestic resource mobilisation and multisectoral action, expanding access to next-generation tools, strengthened local manufacturing, and improved use of real time data to drive action. 

The Burkina Faso End Malaria Council is the first to be launched under the leadership of ALMA’s new Chair, President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko of Botswana, who assumed the role in February 2025. Its launch – alongside the launch of the Liberia End Malaria Council on World Malaria Day too – brings the total number of End Malaria Councils and Funds across Africa to eleven, joining Eswatini, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zanzibar. To date, these country-led platforms have mobilised over US$125 million in domestic and in-kind support to strengthen malaria responses and close gaps in financing and implementation.

ALMA will continue supporting Burkina Faso as it brings the End Malaria Council to life and strengthens collaboration across sectors. We also look forward to working with more countries in West Africa and the wider francophone region to grow the reach and impact of these councils.