Malaria control efforts across the Southern African Development Community face escalating setbacks as case numbers climb and funding shortages strain regional health programs. Over the past two years, several countries in the region have reported reversals in hard-earned gains, putting populations in malaria-prone areas at higher risk, according to a report published in The Conversation.
Four Nations Carry Nearly a Quarter of the Global Burden
Four countries within the region—the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Angola, and Tanzania—record some of the highest malaria burdens worldwide. This burden is calculated by measuring new malaria cases per 1,000 people at risk annually. Combined, these four nations account for 22.9% of the global malaria total. The World Health Organization’s target to eliminate malaria by 2030 is now significantly harder to reach.
National malaria programs remain overstretched and under-resourced as unpredictable global health funding cuts worsen the deficit. African malaria programs have long depended on external donor support. South Africa stands as a rare exception, funding almost all of its national program domestically. The sudden end of United States government funding for essential malaria control activities in 2025 disrupted the Global Fund, making it harder to meet a US$18 billion replenishment target for Grant Cycle 8.
Grant Allocations Shrink Across Grant Cycle 2026-2028
Country allocations for the 2026–2028 grant cycle run an average of 18% lower than previous allotments. Grant recipients must now make difficult choices about protection measures, abandoning the practice of funding comprehensive interventions everywhere. Programs have scaled back the distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets, malaria indicator surveys, and preventative drug treatments. Interventions protecting the most vulnerable take priority, leaving secondary populations exposed and elimination goals sidelined.
Kandawe outreach clinic in Chinyonga village 🇲🇼: 5-month-old Ephridah got vaccinated. After the #malariavaccine, she will continue to use bednets as protection from malaria. pic.twitter.com/hcibmrepzX
These shifting donor priorities have triggered rising case counts in nations like Mozambique, Nigeria, and Uganda. In Mozambique, health authorities recorded a 55% increase in malaria cases during the first six weeks of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe reported 65,399 cases during the first quarter of 2026, nearly doubling its totals from the first quarter of 2025.
La Niña Weather Systems Compound Disease Transmission
Extreme weather events continue to amplify infection risks across the region. The La Niña weather system brought severe flooding to several SADC countries in early 2026, damaging essential infrastructure and displacing local communities. These floods directly accelerated transmission rates in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and South Africa.
Displaced populations frequently cross borders in search of essential services, straining health facilities and heightening the risk of drug stockouts. The International Organization for Migration and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees estimated approximately 11.4 million forcibly displaced individuals lived in the SADC region in 2025, marking a 35% increase from 2023.
Drug and Insecticide Resistance Challenges Treatment Efficacy
Parasite adaptation continues to undermine standard treatments. Scientists confirm that recommended therapies are losing effectiveness in certain areas due to genetic changes in the malaria parasite. Many SADC countries lack the capacity to analyze this genetic evidence.
Establishing regional genomic surveillance hubs would enable prompt detection of emerging resistance. Without proactive monitoring, the region faces elevated risks of drug-resistant outbreaks and rising fatalities. Skilled entomologists remain scarce within national programs, limiting the monitoring of mosquito populations and insecticide resistance.
Common Questions About SADC Malaria Control
Why did Mozambique record a surge in malaria cases in early 2026?
Severe flooding caused by the La Niña weather system in early 2026 damaged infrastructure, displaced communities, and drove up malaria numbers, resulting in a 55% increase in cases during the first six weeks of the year compared to 2025.
How much lower are country allocations for the 2026–2028 grant cycle?
Allocations for the grant cycle running from 2026 to 2028 are on average 18% lower than previous allocations.
How many forcibly displaced individuals were estimated in the SADC region in 2025?
The International Organization for Migration and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees estimated there were around 11.4 million forcibly displaced individuals in the SADC region in 2025.
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