African leaders unite in Abuja to champion domestic investment in malaria chemoprevention

Abuja, Nigeria — In a powerful show of regional solidarity, African political leaders, health experts and civil society advocates gathered this evening in Abuja for a high-level advocacy dinner focused on malaria chemoprevention. Convened by the Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) Alliance, the event emphasised the urgent need for increased domestic financing to sustain and expand life-saving malaria prevention strategies.

Held alongside the RBM Big Push Against Malaria meeting, the dinner brought together representatives from Cameroon, Nigeria, Tanzania, Burkina Faso and Uganda under the coordination of the Coalition of Parliamentarians to End Malaria (COPEMA). The gathering spotlighted African leadership and accountability in the fight against malaria.

Key partners supporting the meeting included Impact Sante Afrique, Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), Malaria Consortium, Population Services International (PSI) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) — all of whom play a critical role in implementing and expanding chemoprevention across Africa.

“The fight against malaria cannot be won in isolation. Seasonal malaria chemoprevention requires the collective strength of governments, partners, health workers and communities. Only through genuine collaboration can we ensure every child is reached, every household protected and every life saved.” Maxwell Kolawole, West & Central Africa Programmes Director, Malaria Consortium.

Building on proven impact

Over the past 12 years, seasonal and perennial malaria chemoprevention have reached more than 55 million children across 19 African nations, preventing illness, saving lives and preserving an estimated US$65 million in annual productivity. Yet, speakers warned that these gains — and expansion to millions more children that are eligible — are at risk due to plateauing global support and insufficient allocations to healthcare budgets.

Dr André-Marie Tchouatieu, representing the SMC Alliance, emphasised the cost-effectiveness of chemoprevention strategies like seasonal malaria chemoprevention, perennial malaria chemoprevention and intermittent preventive treatment for school children, urging governments to prioritise them in national health plans.

Dr Ali Pate, the coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Nigeria, cautioned that in these times of dwindling resources, it is essential that we maximise the use of resources by strategically and opportunistically integrating health services. He cited examples of coupling malaria campaigns with the administration of vitamin A for malnutrition, and azithromycin to treat community respiratory infections, so that malaria interventions become tools not just for eliminating malaria, but holistically addressing child morbidity and mortality. He said, “What's the point of treating malaria only for a child to die from malnutrition?”

Parliamentary action and political leadership

A lively panel of parliamentarians from Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana and Uganda explored how elected leaders can champion domestic health financing and make malaria prevention a legislative priority.

“As Parliamentarians, we hold the power of the purse and responsibility of oversight. We need to advocate for fully funded programmes that are integrated into national budgets and are scaled up to reach every child.” Hon. Godwin Amobi, MP National Assembly, Nigeria

Community voices and civil society perspectives

The dinner also highlighted the experiences of communities who benefit from chemoprevention. Ayo Ipinmoye, a Civil Society lead in Nigeria, called for equitable access and stronger citizen engagement in malaria policies.

“Our children are healthier; our families are more resilient — but millions remain unreached. We must do better,” he said.

During the dinner, participants committed to protecting and expanding coverage of seasonal and perennial malaria chemoprevention, including intermittent preventive treatment in school-aged children. They pledged to mobilise increased domestic financing for malaria prevention and to champion national ownership of elimination goals in line with the Yaoundé Declaration, reinforcing their role as leaders in sustaining and scaling up proven interventions.

“We must not let malaria regain its grip,” said Hon. Santa Okoth, a member of Parliament in Uganda. “We have an opportunity — and an obligation — to lead.”

-ENDS-

NOTES TO EDITORS

About the SMC Alliance
The Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) Alliance is a platform of partners, from National Malaria Programmes to international technical partners, donors, researchers and implementing agencies, committed to expanding access to SMC, PMC and other chemoprevention strategies across Africa. Key partners supporting country-led efforts include Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), Malaria Consortium, Population Services International (PSI), and Catholic Relief Services (CRS).

About COPEMA
The Coalition of Parliamentarians to End Malaria (COPEMA) is a continental platform of legislators advocating for sustained political action and increased domestic investment in malaria elimination.

SMCAlliance [dot] Communications [at] malariaconsortium [dot] org