Malaria transmission is intensifying in Africa due to a combination of drug resistance, climate change, humanitarian crises, funding gaps, and the spread of invasive mosquito species, according to the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA). These challenges threaten to reverse years of progress in malaria control and put millions of lives at risk.
“As urbanization accelerates and environmental conditions change, malaria, once largely a rural disease is emerging as a major urban health crisis,” warned ALMA.
One of the most pressing concerns is the growing resistance of malaria parasites to drugs and mosquitoes to insecticides. This resistance is weakening the effectiveness of antimalarial treatments and undermining key prevention tools such as insecticide-treated nets and indoor spraying. In densely populated urban areas, where transmission rates can rise rapidly, this poses a significant threat.
Climate change is further exacerbating malaria transmission. Rising temperatures, increased rainfall, and high humidity create favorable conditions for mosquitoes to breed and spread into previously unaffected urban areas. Warmer climates also accelerate parasite development within mosquitoes, leading to faster transmission.
Urbanization and humanitarian crises are also major drivers of malaria spread. Rapid city expansion often outpaces infrastructure development, leading to poor drainage and sanitation. Stagnant water in urban areas becomes an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes. Informal settlements, where residents face overcrowding and limited healthcare access, are particularly vulnerable. Additionally, displaced populations due to conflicts are at higher risk of infection.
An emerging concern is the spread of Anopheles stephensi, an invasive mosquito species detected in 10 African countries, including Kenya. Unlike traditional malaria vectors, this species thrives in polluted water and man-made containers, making urban malaria control even more challenging.
To combat urban malaria, ALMA emphasizes the need for improved surveillance, innovative vector control, better infrastructure, and expanded access to treatment. However, funding gaps remain a critical barrier, with only half of the $7.3 billion needed globally mobilized. Without urgent investment, experts warn of a resurgence in malaria cases and deaths, potentially reversing decades of progress.
