By Dr. Michael Adekunle Charles, CEO, RBM Partnership to End Malaria
Last week in Abuja, we witnessed a powerful convergence of will, wisdom, and commitment. Leaders from across Africa including health ministers, parliamentarians, technical experts, private sector pioneers, and community advocates gathered to launch a definitive counteroffensive against malaria. The high-level meeting, ‘Harnessing Africa’s Role in the Big Push Against Malaria,’ was a watershed moment whose resonance will be felt far beyond the conference hall.
As Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health, Muhammad Ali Pate, declared with conviction: “Malaria is an African problem and this gathering is a firm step in the right direction in looking for innovative cross cutting solutions. As Africans, we must take full ownership. The solutions must come from within the continent.” This sentiment was our meeting’s beating heart.
It was a moment of profound opportunity for Africa, and for Nigeria in particular, to solidify its leadership and set a course that could change the future for millions. The sobering numbers remind us that after decades of dramatic gains, we are now off track to meet our 2030 goals. The statistics are well-known but bear repeating: Nigeria accounts for 27% of the world’s malaria cases and 31% of global malaria deaths. (WHO 2023 report) This is not just a health statistic; it is an economic and social anchor. As Prof. Olugbenga Mokuolu powerfully argued, making the business case is essential: for every dollar spent on malaria, there is a 40-dollar return in economic growth. Malaria costs Nigeria over ₦2.5 trillion annually. It is a leading cause of child mortality and a persistent barrier to national development.
Yet, within this stark reality lies a powerful narrative of progress and potential. Since 2000, Nigeria has reduced malaria-related deaths by approximately 55%. It has become one of the first countries to roll out the highly effective R21 malaria vaccine. This hard-won progress proves that change is possible, a fact further underscored by country experiences shared in Abuja.
We saw proof of African innovation and resilience everywhere we turned. From Cameroon, which, after a devastating funding suspension, mobilized 30 billion CFA within three months to sustain all essential services, to Cabo Verde, which taught us that the key is not just political will, but national will. We have seen that elimination is achievable with case management, robust surveillance, and a whole-of-government approach that brings Tourism, Immigration, and Environment ministries to the table.
But that progress has stalled. Insecticide resistance, climate change, humanitarian crises, and critical funding gaps threaten to reverse these gains. We are at a crossroads.
The ‘Big Push’ is our collective answer. It is not a new strategy, but a renewed pact, a commitment to execute with greater urgency, accountability, and cohesion. The meeting in Abuja was the crucial first step in translating this concept into a continent-wide movement.
The outcomes have solidified a clear path forward, captured in the concrete recommendations from our working groups. We are moving beyond declarations to action: ring-fencing domestic malaria budgets, establishing transparent mechanisms to channel philanthropic funds, and strategically positioning malaria as a “pathfinder” for primary healthcare and climate adaptation.
So, where do we go from here? Momentum is a precious commodity; it must be seized and converted into tangible action. The journey ahead hinges on three critical pillars:
First, accountability must become our motto. The pledges made in Abuja are promises to the most vulnerable. We saw this embodied by parliamentarians from the COPEMA network. One Nigerian MP, Hon. Billy Osawaru, voiced a powerful sense of shame that Uganda was making a larger commitment to health than Nigeria, and committed to using constituency budgets for malaria. This is the spirit we need. As one Ugandan MP stated, they are committed to using their “power of the microphone and power of the purse” to achieve the 15% health budget allocation pledged in the Abuja Declaration.
Second, we must embrace integration and innovation. Malaria is not isolated. Our approach must be multi-sectoral. The World Bank’s Onoride Ezire outlined creating ‘fiscal space’ through better efficiency and health insurance. Lagos State demonstrated how greater diagnostic accuracy revealed many fevers weren’t malaria, allowing for smarter spending and stronger surveillance. We must leverage these innovations and integrate them into primary healthcare.
Third, this must be a truly partnership-driven endeavour. No single entity can do this alone. This was the resounding message from Aliko Dangote, Chair of the Malaria End Council, who stated that the ‘Big Push’ is a call for all actors to bring their business acumen. This multi-stakeholder model is already taking root, as seen in Burkina Faso, which upgraded its malaria program to a Permanent Secretariat and launched a national Malaria Elimination Council. From Nollywood actor Kalu Ikeagwu pledging to weave malaria prevention into compelling storylines, to the IFRC committing its vast network of volunteers for rural interventions, every sector has a role to play.
The meeting in Abuja was not the finish line; it was the starting gun. The energy in the room was palpable, reflecting a shared conviction that a malaria-free future is within our grasp. Our role now is to channel that energy into relentless, focused action. We have the plan, we have the partners, and we have the proof. Now, we must deliver. Join the RBM Partnership to end Malaria in this fight.
