Africa’s continuing battle against the dreaded malaria is hamstrung by insufficient funding. It is time the private sector, which also suffers the consequences of the disease, joined in the fight.
During the World Health Assembly (18-23 May), Minsters of Health from 193 member states of the World Health Organisation will meet in Geneva, Switzerland to discuss global health issues.
Among them of course will be a very sizeable African delegation which will present issues particular to the continent. The hope is that attention will be placed on one of the most persistent barriers to a healthy future for African citizens – malaria and how to finally overcome it.
The impact of malaria is not only a health issue, it is also a major economic hurdle that impacts local and foreign companies working in Africa.
Malaria is a disease that disproportionately affects the most vulnerable, especially women and children, and undermines productivity, education and long-term development.
New research led by researcher Paul Bangirana of Makerere University and Chandy John of Indiana University, show that children who suffered cerebral malaria or severe malaria‑induced anaemia score lower on cognitive and math tests years later. The findings signal a stark reality: malaria is not only claiming young lives today but also jeopardising future generations’ ability to solve Africa’s toughest challenges.
For years, the fight against malaria has relied heavily on public and donor funding. Institutions such as The Global Fund have played a critical role in saving lives and scaling interventions. But as global priorities shift and funding gaps widen, it is becoming increasingly clear that public financing alone will not be enough to achieve elimination.
This is where the private sector can step in as a central player. Private capital has transformed industries across Africa, from fintech to renewable energy. It has demonstrated an ability to scale innovation, drive efficiency and unlock new markets. Yet in global health, and malaria in particular, private sector engagement has remained limited.
I believe this is a missed opportunity because malaria is not just a health issue, it is a business issue. It affects workforce productivity, supply chains and economic stability.
For companies operating in or investing in Africa, malaria translates into lost working days, increased healthcare costs and reduced economic output. Investing in malaria prevention and innovation is therefore not only socially responsible, but also economically rational.
More importantly, the nature of the malaria challenge is evolving. Mosquito resistance to existing insecticides is rising, and while tools such as bed nets, diagnostics and vaccines remain essential, they will not be sufficient on their own. New approaches are needed to complement existing interventions and sustain progress.
Investment in scientific innovation
Emerging technologies, such as genetic approaches to mosquito control, are being researched as tools to reduce malaria transmission. These innovations require long-term, patient investment, not only in research and development, but also in regulatory systems, community engagement, and capacity building.
Ecosystems that nurture creativity, collaboration, and the rise of future pioneers in healthcare and biotechnology are urgently needed to support young African researchers.
This is precisely the kind of complex, high-impact challenge where private capital can play a catalytic role.
However, unlocking this potential requires a shift in mindset. First, malaria must be reframed as an investment opportunity, not just a development challenge. This means identifying clear pathways for private sector participation, from funding research partnerships to supporting local manufacturing and health infrastructure.
Second, collaboration models must evolve. Public-private partnerships can de-risk investment and align incentives, ensuring that innovation is both impactful and scalable. African institutions and scientists must be at the centre of these partnerships, shaping solutions that are locally relevant and globally significant.
Third, trust and accountability must remain foundational. In areas such as genetic technologies, engagement with communities and transparent governance are essential. Private sector involvement must strengthen, not undermine, these principles.
Signs of progress
African scientists, entrepreneurs, and institutions are increasingly leading research and innovation efforts on the continent. This shift is not only about ownership, but effectiveness too. Solutions that are developed with local expertise and grounded in community realities are more likely to succeed.
As African and world leaders convene this month, there is an opportunity to elevate malaria financing as a strategic priority. The conversation must move beyond commitments to concrete mechanisms that bring in new actors and new capital.
The private sector has both the resources and the incentive to contribute meaningfully to malaria elimination. What is needed now is the urgency to act.
Ending malaria in Africa is within reach, but only if we expand the circle of responsibility. Governments, donors, scientists and communities all have a role to play. So too does the private sector.
The question is no longer whether we can afford to invest more in malaria. It is whether we can afford not to.
Krystal Birungi is an entomologist and malaria advocate at Target Malaria
Target Malaria is a not-for-profit research consortium that aims to develop and share new, cost-effective and sustainable genetic technologies to modify mosquitoes and reduce malaria transmission.
