Africa: Let Accra's AU Health Summit Be Remembered for Action

What the report says

AllAfrica published a guest column on 23 July 2026 by Botswana President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko, who also chairs the African Leaders Malaria Alliance, tied to an extraordinary African Union health summit in Accra. Boko argued that African leaders should focus less on making fresh pledges and more on implementing existing plans, including the AU Roadmap to 2030 and Beyond, with stronger financing and accountability.

The column said progress against malaria has stalled amid drug and insecticide resistance, climate pressures, population growth and funding shortages. It cited a 70% drop in external health aid to Africa between 2021 and 2025 and said recent Global Fund and Gavi replenishments did not meet targets. Boko framed this as evidence that African governments need to expand domestic health investment while still seeking transitional support from global partners.

The piece highlighted several proposed priorities: sustainable financing, stronger health security, better data systems, local production of medicines and clearer oversight. It pointed to Nigeria, Benin, Zambia and Ethiopia as countries that have increased domestic malaria funding, and said National End Malaria Councils and Funds are active in 12 countries and have mobilized more than US$228 million. Boko urged wider adoption of that model.

The column also linked malaria control to broader health system resilience, citing Ebola responses in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda and lessons from COVID-19. It said many AU member states still face unreliable access to essential medicines, while up to 90% of drugs are imported, and backed a continental goal of producing at least 60% of health products in Africa.