African leaders call for stronger domestic financing and multisectoral action to accelerate malaria elimination

African leaders convening on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) have called for stronger domestic financing, multisectoral action and deeper collaboration to protect hard-won gains against malaria and accelerate progress towards elimination. The call was made at a high-level side event, “Africa’s leadership for sustainable malaria financing: A multisectoral path to elimination”, hosted by President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko of the Republic of Botswana and chair of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA), in partnership with the African Union Commission and the RBM Partnership to End Malaria. Africa accounts for 94% of global malaria cases and 95% of malaria deaths. Progress has stalled and the risk of resurgence is increasing as countries face major financing shortfalls, extreme weather events, growing resistance to insecticides and medicines, and humanitarian crises. Recent Global Fund and Gavi replenishments fell short of their targets, while official development assistance for health in Africa continues to fall. Whilst the funds continue to mobilize additional resources, research by ALMA and Malaria No More UK estimates that a 30% reduction in m