Dangote Urges Global Action to Eradicate Malaria
By Patience Ikpeme
Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the National Malaria Elimination Council (NMEC) and United Nations Malaria Ambassador, has issued an urgent call for governments and private sector leaders to scale up coordinated efforts to eradicate malaria, describing the current period as a turning point for global health.
Speaking in commemoration of World Malaria Day 2026, the business mogul noted that while the fight against the disease has seen important milestones, the progress remains inconsistent. He pointed out that sub-Saharan Africa continues to carry over 90 percent of the global disease burden, with the illness placing a heavy strain on health systems and national economies.
The illness continues to take a heavy toll on pregnant women, children under the age of five, and displaced populations. Dangote described the existing disparity in healthcare access as a significant barrier to total elimination.
“Progress against malaria is real, but it remains deeply unequal,” Dangote said. “Too many people still lack access to life-saving prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. This gap is unacceptable when the tools to end malaria already exist.”
He explained that the path toward a malaria-free world is more visible now than ever before, citing the arrival of next-generation vaccines, superior diagnostic tools, and data-driven surveillance systems. He maintained that the focus must now shift toward the decisive and large-scale implementation of these resources.
Aligning with this year’s global theme, “Driven to end malaria: now we can. Now we must,” Dangote signaled that the private sector holds a vital role in reinforcing national health strategies. He shared that Dangote Industries Limited remains active in supporting community-based initiatives that focus on early diagnosis and prevention.
“Aligned and well-coordinated private sector action can deliver measurable impact and significantly reinforce national malaria control programmes,” he stated.
He further suggested that defeating the disease requires a unified front, bringing together the innovation of businesses and the policy power of governments. According to the Ambassador, no single entity possesses the capacity to end the epidemic in isolation; instead, strong public-private partnerships are the only way to mobilize the necessary resources and innovation.
Beyond the need for better distribution of current tools, Dangote spoke on the necessity of staying ahead of biological challenges. He cautioned that drug and insecticide resistance pose a serious risk to the successes achieved over the last decade. To counter these threats, he advocated for consistent investment in research and adaptive strategies to safeguard previous gains.
“The path to a malaria-free world is clear. We have the tools. We have the knowledge,” he said. “What we need now is urgency, sustained investment, and collective accountability.”
In his closing remarks, the NMEC Chairman appealed to governments to keep funding commitments steady and urged development partners to prioritize investment in high-burden regions. He expressed a firm belief that a malaria-free future is attainable through shared purpose.
“Together—driven by purpose and united in action—we can end malaria,” Dangote said. “Now we can. Now we must.”
