Africa: Science Is Getting Closer to Beating Malaria, So What's Still in the Way? 3 Areas Where Action Can Make an Impact

What the report says

In an analysis published by The Conversation Africa and republished by AllAfrica, researchers from the University of Pretoria argue that malaria elimination is now a realistic goal for more countries, thanks to better prevention, diagnosis and treatment over the past two decades. The piece says scientific progress has been significant, including vaccines, more sensitive tests, parasite genomics, drug-resistance tracking and satellite-based environmental monitoring, but that those tools have not been translated evenly into action.

The authors focus on sub-Saharan Africa, which they say still carries about 95% of global malaria cases and deaths. They describe three persistent gaps: early warnings do not always trigger preparedness, scientific evidence does not always shape policy and operations, and public awareness does not always lead to protective behavior because of cost, access and other barriers. The article uses examples from Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and southern Africa to show how surveillance, forecasting and community behavior can affect outbreak response and prevention.

The analysis also notes that delays in net distribution and seasonal chemoprevention campaigns, reported by the World Health Organization in April 2025, illustrate the operational challenges facing malaria control efforts. It argues that progress depends not only on new science, but on stronger health systems, better coordination between researchers and decision-makers, and practical access to prevention and treatment.

The central message is that ending malaria will require turning evidence into timely, locally adapted action, especially in countries where the disease burden remains high.