At the Africa CEO Forum, a coalition of prominent health organizations – Speak Up Africa, the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA), and Malaria No More UK – launched the Francophone chapter of a crucial campaign: “Draw the Line Against Malaria: The Role of the Private Sector in Ending Malaria.”
This “Draw the Line” initiative is designed to amplify the voices of women and girls while galvanizing Africa’s private sector to accelerate the push for malaria elimination. With the 8th Global Fund replenishment approaching amidst widening funding gaps, 2025 represents a critical juncture to secure additional resources and maximize the impact of malaria control efforts.
“This is the time to co-invest for impact. When Africa’s private sector leads, the world pays attention,” emphasized Dr. Michael Adekunle Charles, CEO of the RBM Partnership to End Malaria. He acknowledged the Global Fund’s significant contributions in saving lives and strengthening health systems but stressed that private sector investment is now vital to ensure both economic resilience and public health security.
The campaign is urging businesses to actively support national malaria control programs through direct or in-kind contributions, allocate resources towards the Global Fund’s replenishment, participate in malaria advisory boards to foster collaboration across sectors, and invest in the Voix EssentiELLEs Fund, which specifically supports grassroots, women-led advocacy and malaria response initiatives.
Joy Phumaphi, Executive Secretary of ALMA, underscored the private sector’s indispensable role, stating, “Africa must take bold action against malaria, and the private sector is a key partner. By investing in community-driven solutions, companies can leverage their expertise to innovate, mobilize resources, and make a tangible impact—saving lives while boosting economies.”
The newly established Voix EssentiELLEs Fund aims to raise $4 million by 2030 to provide flexible funding directly to women and girls and support their advocacy efforts, aligning with national malaria priorities.
Pierre N’gou Dimba, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Health, Public Hygiene and Universal Health Coverage, highlighted the critical need for diversified financing to sustain progress in the fight against malaria. “Healthy communities build prosperous economies. The private sector has a direct stake in eliminating malaria,” he affirmed.
Despite disproportionately bearing the burden of malaria, women and girls often remain underrepresented in leadership and funding decisions related to its control. Yacine Djibo, Executive Director of Speak Up Africa, emphasized the broader impact of investing in women: “Investing in women and girls accelerates development. Women leaders strengthen communities, drive innovation, and help lift families out of poverty.”
A 2024 study estimates that a 90% reduction in malaria incidence by 2030 could generate a substantial $126.9 billion boost to Africa’s GDP. This underscores that malaria is not solely a public health crisis but also a significant economic impediment, reducing productivity, increasing household expenses, and hindering overall economic growth.
As part of its ongoing collaboration with Canal+ Côte d’Ivoire, Speak Up Africa renewed its Memorandum of Understanding with the broadcaster and the National Malaria Control Program. This partnership, now in its fifth year, has already delivered over $1.5 million in valuable airtime and in-kind contributions to raise awareness and support malaria control efforts.
Adama Koné, Managing Director of Canal+ Côte d’Ivoire, reaffirmed the broadcaster’s unwavering commitment, stating, “We are proud to raise awareness and contribute to the fight against malaria. Alongside Speak Up Africa and our partners, we are determined to help turn the tide and end malaria across Africa.”
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