2nd Edition Report: Gene Drives for Malaria Control and Elimination in Africa
2nd Edition Report: Gene Drives for Malaria Control and Elimination in Africa
Tags: Africa, Gene drive, Malaria, PolicyAfrican Union High-Level Panel on Emerging Technologies, APET Secretariat, 2025.
Malaria continues to impose a significant economic and public health burden on Africa. In 2021, the continent accounted for 95% of the global 247 million new malaria cases and 96% of the 619,000 malaria-related deaths. Notably, over three-quarters (77%) of these deaths occurred among children under the age of five. At present, ten countries—Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Uganda, and the United Republic of Tanzania—have been classified as High Burden, High Impact (HBHI) nations, collectively contributing to 68% of all malaria cases and 70% of malaria-related fatalities globally. Furthermore, approximately 1,031,000,000 individuals across Africa are estimated to be at risk of contracting malaria. Extensive studies have consistently demonstrated a strong correlation between economic development rates and the burden of malaria, underscoring malaria’s role as a critical impediment to economic progress. The direct economic costs of malaria are substantial, placing immense strain on the limited resources of the affected African nations. Countries severely burdened by malaria exhibit Gross Domestic Products (GDPs) that are up to five times lower than those of malaria-free nations. The annual economic growth loss in endemic countries is estimated at 1.3%, equating to as much as US$12 billion in lost productivity. Moreover, malaria contributes to between 5-8% of school absenteeism among African children and causes an additional 2.4 to 6.5 days of absenteeism per student. The costs associated with malaria prevention and treatment further highlight the economic challenge. The annual cost of protecting one individual against malaria ranges from US$1.18 to US$5.97 through vector control measures. Diagnosis costs have a median of US$6, while treatment costs for each case vary depending on severity, ranging from US$9 to US$89.93. As such, malaria remains the foremost public health priority in Africa, with the costs of treatment and disease prevention far exceeding the financial capacities of most African governments. A further pressing concern is the recent introduction and establishment of Anopheles stephensi, a species of mosquito that poses a significant threat to the Horn of Africa and beyond. This invasive species, which tends to bite outdoors, could exacerbate the existing malaria burden and undermine the gains made in malaria control over the past two decades. The global response to malaria control heavily relies on donor funding, which is currently only sufficient to meet half of the required global funding targets. This reliance on external financing is unsustainable and highly vulnerable to shifts in political priorities in donor countries. Approximately a quarter of the global malaria funding is directed to Africa for the provision of insecticide-treated nets, rapid diagnostic tests, and medicines, while national funding should cover the operating costs of the broader health sector.
Existing malaria control measures, including the use of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs), Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS), and Larval Source Management (LSM), have demonstrated limited effectiveness, especially against the newly introduced invasive mosquito species. This underscores the necessity for the development and adoption of innovative mosquito control approaches, such as Attractive Targeted Sugar Bait (ATSB), Endocticides, Improved Housing, Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), and Paratransgenesis. Research into these methods is ongoing, and their potential for improving malaria control strategies is considerable. To supplement existing malaria control efforts, innovative technologies like Gene Drive present promising long-term solutions to protect the most vulnerable populations and address the malaria burden in Africa. The African Union (AU) has recognised the potential of Gene Drive technology and has endorsed its development, with support from the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD). This initiative aims to foster conducive environments for research, develop regulatory frameworks, and engage stakeholders across African Union Member States, ensuring a collaborative approach to the ongoing fight against malaria.
