Juliet Jacob 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has urged governments to meet the Abuja Declaration’s 15% health budget target, warning that malaria resurgence threatens decades of progress.
A new report in The BMJ on Saturday shows global malaria cases rose to 263 million in 2023, with Africa accounting for 90% of the increase and 95% of deaths, nearly 600,000 in total. Most victims were children under five.
“This crisis is avoidable. Malaria’s resurgence is due to neglect,” said Africa CDC Director-General Dr. Jean Kaseya. “We must act urgently and decisively.”
Southern Africa faces alarming spikes: Zimbabwe reported 111,998 cases in 2025, up from 29,031 in 2024, while Botswana, malaria-free a year ago, logged over 2,200 cases.
Kaseya warned of artemisinin-based drug resistance in Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. “If ACT resistance spreads, we risk losing our most effective treatment.”
The agency urged domestic funding, solidarity levies, and excise taxes on imports, alcohol, and mobile services to secure health systems.
“No child should die of malaria when vaccines exist,” Kaseya stressed, calling for swift, equitable vaccine rollouts.
Despite setbacks, Africa CDC insists malaria elimination by 2030 remains possible with stronger financing, surveillance, and political will.
About the Author
Oluwatobi Adu 
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Koko Maxwella 