A new report warns that Africa efforts to eliminate malaria by 2030 are off track, with funding shortfalls and climate change worsening the crisis. The 2024 Africa Progress Report, released at the 38th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, reveals that malaria incidence has only dropped by 4% and mortality by 15% since 2015 far below the 40% and 75% reduction targets set for 2020 and 2025.
Severe Funding Deficit Threatens Progress
Prepared by the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA), the AU Commission, and the Roll Back Malaria Partnership, the report highlights a widening funding gap. In 2023, global malaria funding reached only $4 billion less than half the $8.3 billion required. Africa needs an additional $1.5 billion for 2025-2026 just to maintain current, inadequate intervention levels. If funding remains stagnant, the continent could face 112 million extra malaria cases and nearly 281,000 additional deaths by 2029.
Climate Change Driving Higher Transmission
Climate change is making malaria more widespread, particularly in Africa’s highlands, where transmission-friendly months have risen by 14%. By the 2030s, an extra 147–171 million Africans could be at risk, and climate-driven malaria deaths could reach 775,000 by 2050. Extreme weather events, such as floods and prolonged rains, are accelerating mosquito breeding and overwhelming health systems.
Adding to the challenge is the spread of Anopheles stephensi, an invasive mosquito now detected in eight AU nations, including Kenya. Unlike traditional malaria-carrying mosquitoes, A. stephensi thrives in cities, raising the risk of urban outbreaks.
Economic and Health System Strain
Malaria continues to weigh heavily on Africa’s economy, reducing GDP growth by up to 1.3% in endemic regions and causing the loss of up to 500 million workdays annually. However, investing in malaria elimination could boost Africa’s GDP by $127 billion by 2030.
Despite setbacks, Cabo Verde and Egypt have achieved malaria-free status, proving that eradication is possible with strong political commitment and sufficient funding. The report calls for AU nations to boost domestic investment, strengthen research on resistance, integrate climate resilience into malaria control, and enhance cross-border collaboration. Scaling up the use of new vaccines and advanced insecticides will also be key to achieving malaria eradication in Africa.
