By Seyi Odewale
Chairman of Nigeria’s National Malaria Elimination Council and United Nations Malaria Ambassador, Aliko Dangote, has called for urgent and coordinated action by governments, businesses and development partners to eliminate malaria, warning that despite major scientific advances, millions remain vulnerable to one of the world’s deadliest but preventable diseases.
Marking World Malaria Day 2026, Dangote described the global fight against malaria as being at a decisive turning point, stressing that the world now possesses the tools, knowledge and partnerships required to defeat the disease, but lacks the scale and urgency needed for full implementation.
While acknowledging significant progress in prevention and treatment over the years, Dangote lamented that the gains remain uneven, particularly across sub-Saharan Africa, where the overwhelming burden of malaria persists.
“Progress against malaria is real, but it remains deeply unequal,” Dangote said.
“Too many people still lack access to lifesaving prevention, diagnosis and treatment. This gap is unacceptable when the solutions already exist.”
He noted that malaria continues to exact a devastating toll on vulnerable populations, especially children under five, pregnant women, displaced persons and underserved communities, while also placing enormous strain on health systems, economic productivity and social stability across the continent.
Dangote pointed to breakthroughs such as next-generation vaccines, improved diagnostic tools and stronger surveillance systems as evidence that malaria elimination is more achievable now than ever before.
However, he stressed that these innovations would only deliver transformative impact if governments and private sector actors commit to broader, equitable deployment.
“The pathway to a malaria-free world is clearer today than at any other time in history,” he stated.
“What is needed now is decisive leadership, sustained investment and large-scale implementation.”
Dangote also underscored the importance of private sector participation, arguing that corporate institutions have a strategic role to play through workplace initiatives, community interventions and support for national health strategies.
Through Dangote Industries Limited, he said, several malaria-focused interventions are already supporting prevention, early diagnosis and effective treatment in vulnerable communities.
“Aligned private sector action can significantly strengthen national malaria programmes and deliver measurable results,” he said.
He further warned that emerging threats, such as drug and insecticide resistance, could undermine existing gains if governments and development partners fail to sustain investment in research and adaptive public health responses.
According to him, defeating malaria will require stronger collaboration among governments, civil society, multilateral institutions, local communities and the private sector.
“No single sector can defeat malaria alone,” Dangote stressed.
“We have the tools. We have the science. What we need now is urgency, accountability and collective determination.”
Reaffirming his commitment to malaria elimination, Dangote called on governments to preserve policy momentum, urged businesses to expand proven interventions, and encouraged international donors to sustain support for high-burden countries.
“Together, driven by purpose and united in action, we can end malaria,” he declared.
“Now we can. Now we must.”
