Dangote Urges Urgent Public-Private Action to Eliminate Malaria in Africa

Dangote Urges Urgent Public-Private Action to Eliminate Malaria in Africa

Chairman of the National Malaria Elimination Council (NMEC) and United Nations Malaria Ambassador, Aliko Dangote, has called for accelerated and coordinated action by governments and the private sector to eliminate malaria, warning that the current moment is critical in the global fight against the disease.

The Nigerian billionaire made the call in a statement marking World Malaria Day 2026, where he acknowledged progress in combating malaria but stressed that gains remain uneven, particularly across sub-Saharan Africa, which still accounts for over 90 percent of the global burden.

Dangote noted that despite advances 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. He said the disease continues to exert immense pressure on health systems, economies, and livelihoods across the continent.

“Progress against malaria is real, but it remains deeply unequal. 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 said.

He, however, described the current phase of the global malaria response as pivotal, citing scientific breakthroughs, improved diagnostic tools, next-generation vaccines, and enhanced data-driven surveillance systems as indicators that elimination is within reach. According to him, the priority now is large-scale, equitable implementation of these solutions.

Referencing this year’s theme, “Driven to end malaria: now we can. Now we must,” Dangote underscored the importance of private sector participation, noting that workplace and community-based interventions led by Dangote Industries Limited are already complementing public health efforts through prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment programmes.

He emphasised that malaria elimination cannot be achieved by any single sector, calling for stronger public-private partnerships involving governments, development partners, civil society, and local communities to mobilise resources, innovation, and scale.

Dangote also warned of emerging threats such as drug and insecticide resistance, urging sustained investment in research and adaptive strategies to safeguard progress made so far.

“The path to a malaria-free world is clear. We have the tools. We have the knowledge. What we need now is urgency, sustained investment, and collective accountability,” he said.

He called on governments to sustain policy momentum and funding commitments, urged businesses to expand proven interventions, and encouraged international partners to prioritise high-burden regions.

“Together—driven by purpose and united in action—we can end malaria. Now we can. Now we must,” Dangote added.