Health Guide

Malaria remains one of Africa's most persistent public health challenges — but it is also one of the clearest stories of what sustained, coordinated action can achieve. Understanding both the wins and the new threats is essential for anyone working in health, or simply anyone who wants to see the disease finally brought under control. The Scale of the Problem Africa continues to carry the overwhelming share of the world's malaria burden. The WHO African Region accounts for an estimated 94–95% of malaria cases and 95% of malaria deaths worldwide, with children under 5 making up about 75% of all deaths in the region. Globally, an estimated 282 million cases and 610,000 deaths occurred in 2024 — roughly 9 million more cases than the previous year. The burden is also highly concentrated. Two-thirds of global cases and deaths are found in just 11 African "High Burden High Impact" countries, and four countries — Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Niger, ...