Health partners seek private sector’s inputs to end malaria in Africa

By Timothy Olanrewaju, Nigeria

Health partners in Africa have advocated for the involvement and inputs of the private sector in the current campaigns to eliminate malaria in the continent. 

The health partners made the call in a statement made available to The News Sketch.

It was issued at the end of the launch of an anti-malaria campaign tagged Change the Story, and unveiling of a new report, Change the Story, Save Lives: The Private Sector’s Role in Ending Malaria in Africa held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire’s capital. 

 Head of the global platform for the elimination of the disease, RBM (Roll Back Malaria) Partnership to End Malaria, Dr. Michael Adekunle Charles, said involvement of the private sector in the fight against malaria, will attract global interest and sensitivity. 

“This is your moment to co-invest for impact, because when Africa’s private sector leads, the world pays attention,” Charles said. 

Other partners highlighted the debilitating impact of malaria to the productivity of young Africans, noting that women and children especially girls continue to bear the greatest burden of malaria but under-represented in decisions on fight against the disease.

A 2024 study revealed that reducing malaria incidence by 90 percent by 2030 could boost Africa’s GDP by $126.9 billion, according to the statement. 

Executive Secretary of African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) and Board Chair of the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership, Joy Phumaphi said Africa’s fight against malaria needs to be bold with the private sector becoming vital partner.  

“Malaria is not just a health issue, it is an economic barrier that weakens productivity, drives household spending, and constrains growth,” Phumaphi declared. 

The event organized by Speak Up Africa, an African body for the sustainable development of the continent, brought together leading voices in the campaign to end malaria.