Malaria and climbing child mortality push Africa’s health landscape toward a turning point. A 20% cut in health funding could translate into roughly 12 million additional child deaths by 2045.
Pan African Visions
Malaria and rising child deaths push Africa’s health toward a crossroads. A 20% dip in health funding could yield 12 million more children lost by 2045.
December 16, 2025
Kampala, Uganda – 16 December 2025 / African Media Agency (AMA) – The latest World Malaria Report 2025 from the WHO underscores a stark reality: malaria remains one of Africa’s most urgent health concerns. Globally, an estimated 282 million malaria cases and about 610,000 deaths occurred in 2024, with the African Region shouldering the bulk of the burden, especially among children under five.
Five nations—Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Mozambique, and Uganda—account for more than half of all global cases.
The 2025 Goalkeepers report notes that in 2024, 4.6 million children died before reaching five years old. Projections for 2025 suggest a rise to about 4.8 million, the first uptick in this century. In practical terms, that’s more than 5,000 classrooms of children who never get to learn their letters or tie their shoelaces.
“Across Africa, we lose children daily to a disease we understand and know how to prevent. Each loss is a tragedy for families, communities, and economies. Malaria is a problem we can solve. Our job now is to expand proven solutions, innovate responsibly, and ensure no child’s life is claimed by a preventable illness,” said Krystal Birungi, a Ugandan malaria advocate.
WHO’s World Malaria Report 2025 highlights increasing antimalarial drug resistance in Africa and the urgent need for complementary strategies. Progress will hinge on improvements in diagnostics, surveillance, vaccination, vector control, prompt treatment, and community-driven engagement.
In Uganda, the malaria burden remains heavy, with an estimated 13.6 million cases and over 16,200 deaths. Although prevention and treatment have advanced, mortality from malaria remains uneven, concentrated in high-transmission districts. Neighboring East and West African countries face similar hurdles driven by drug resistance, climate pressures, humanitarian crises, and gaps in access to interventions.
A roadmap for change
The Goalkeepers Report outlines a clear path at a time when global health systems are strained and progress is slipping. For the first time this century, child deaths are projected to rise; a 20% reduction in health funding could lead to 12 million more children dying by 2045.
Key actions for the coming decade include:
- Strengthening primary health systems so frontline workers can diagnose and treat malaria quickly and consistently.
- Expanding access to proven tools such as malaria vaccines, insecticide-treated nets, rapid diagnostics, and timely treatment.
- Investing in next-generation solutions, from advanced vector control techniques to responsibly developed genetic innovations that complement existing measures.
- Supporting local scientific leadership so African researchers and institutions steer the development and deployment of future tools.
- Integrating community voices, recognizing that trust and understanding are crucial for the success of any intervention.
Emerging tools, like gene-drive approaches for vector control, demand not only rigorous science but also clear, accessible, and timely engagement. Naima Sykes, Director of Global Stakeholder Engagement for Target Malaria at Imperial College London, emphasizes the need for two-way communication. “Communities want to understand how these technologies work, how they’re developed, and how they’ll be shaped by those most affected. Researchers must listen as much as they explain. When information flows freely, trust grows, and trust is essential for progress.” In an era of rising misinformation, effective communication itself becomes a public health tool.
Birungi stresses Africa’s critical juncture. The latest figures represent real lives and futures. Africa faces a choice: persist on a path where preventable diseases claim countless young lives, or commit to scaling proven tools, investing in science, and strengthening health systems that shield families.
There is a path forward. It rests on solid evidence, African expertise, and a blend of innovation and community partnership. With decisive action, the coming decade could mark a turning point—allowing every child in Africa not only to survive but to thrive.
Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Target Malaria.
Notes to editors:
About Target Malaria:
Target Malaria is a non-profit research consortium aiming to develop and disseminate new, cost-effective, sustainable genetic technologies to modify mosquitoes and reduce malaria transmission. The organization’s vision is a world free of malaria, pursued through responsible research and development of genetic technologies such as gene drive (www.targetmalaria.org).
Target Malaria receives core funding from the Gates Foundation and Open Philanthropy. Imperial College London serves as the lead grantee, with partners across Africa, Europe, and North America.
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This story originally appeared on African Media Agency (AMA) and is distributed on behalf of Target Malaria.
