Chairman of Nigeria’s National Malaria Elimination Council (NMEC) and United Nations Malaria Ambassador, Aliko Dangote, has called for urgent, coordinated action by governments and the private sector to eliminate malaria, warning that the fight against the disease has reached a critical turning point.
Speaking to commemorate World Malaria Day 2026, Dangote acknowledged that while notable progress has been made in combating malaria, gains remain uneven—particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, which accounts for over 90 percent of the global burden.
Despite advancements in prevention and treatment, malaria continues to rank among the world’s deadliest diseases, disproportionately affecting children under five, pregnant women, displaced populations, and underserved communities. The disease continues to exert significant strain on healthcare systems and economic productivity across the region.
“Progress against malaria is real, but it remains deeply unequal,” Dangote said. “Too many people still lack access to life-saving prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. This gap is unacceptable when the tools to end malaria already exist.”
He noted that the global malaria response is entering a pivotal phase, driven by scientific breakthroughs, improved intervention tools, and stronger partnerships. Innovations such as next-generation vaccines, enhanced diagnostics, and data-driven surveillance systems have made the goal of elimination more achievable than ever.
This year’s theme, “Driven to end malaria: now we can. Now we must,” underscores both the urgency and the opportunity for decisive action. Dangote highlighted the growing role of the private sector in supporting national and global malaria initiatives, noting that workplace and community-based interventions can significantly complement public health strategies.
Through initiatives led by Dangote Industries Limited, he said the private sector is already contributing to prevention, early diagnosis, and effective treatment programmes.
“Aligned and well-coordinated private sector action can deliver measurable impact and significantly reinforce national malaria control programmes,” he stated.
Dangote emphasised that eliminating malaria requires strong public-private partnerships involving governments, businesses, development agencies, civil society, and local communities. Such collaboration, he said, is essential to mobilise the resources, innovation, and scale needed to accelerate progress.
He also cautioned against emerging threats such as drug and insecticide resistance, stressing the need for sustained investment in research and adaptive strategies to preserve existing gains.
“The path to a malaria-free world is clear. We have the tools. We have the knowledge,” he said. “What we need now is urgency, sustained investment, and collective accountability.”
Dangote urged governments to sustain policy momentum and funding commitments, called on the private sector to expand proven interventions, and encouraged development partners to maintain investments in high-burden regions.
“Together—driven by purpose and united in action—we can end malaria,” he added. “Now we can. Now we must.”
