Lusaka, Zambia | 12 November 2025 — The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has launched operational research on malaria in Lesotho, Namibia and Zimbabwe, supported by a US$150,000 grant from the World Bank.
This initiative, which follows recurring malaria outbreaks in the southern region, will be conducted from 14 November to 12 December 2025, and aims to strengthen Member States’ efforts to control and eliminate malaria.
“The operational research aims to generate evidence-based data to enhance malaria control and elimination strategies in Southern Africa, where many live in endemic areas,” said Dr Lul Pout Riek, Director of the Southern Africa Regional Co-ordinating Centre (SA-RCC). “By tailoring interventions to local needs, the study seeks to optimise responses, improve outbreak management, and ultimately reduce morbidity and mortality across the continent.”
The study will also assess the effectiveness, feasibility and acceptability of different larvicide types and integrated vector control strategies.
“Researchers from the Africa CDC Science and Innovation Directorate, Southern RCC, national health ministries, public health institutes and academia will employ advanced analytical methods — including vector bionomics, mathematical modelling and simulation — to better understand malaria dynamics,” said Dr Mosoka Papa Fallah, Acting Director of the Science and Innovation Directorate at Africa CDC.
The research further seeks to identify bottlenecks in malaria healthcare delivery, particularly access to care during epidemic periods, to strengthen prevention and outbreak control in Lesotho, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
Three Member States were selected based on researchable areas offering scalable solutions and the existence of in-country research protocols aligned with Africa CDC’s criteria.
“In Lesotho, we have reported localised outbreaks and increased vulnerability in certain districts. We aim to understand the entomological profile of malaria to inform our national elimination strategies,” said Mr Khotso Mahomo, International Health Regulations Manager at Lesotho’s Ministry of Health.
In Namibia, the Ministry of Health and Social Services reported 5,898 confirmed malaria cases between December 2024 and January 2025, including 840 hospitalisations and 28 deaths. Of these, 3,493 were locally transmitted and 2,496 were imported.
“This research will help identify emerging drivers of transmission and social determinants of severe disease,” said Dr Iyaloo Mwaningange, Deputy Director of the Epidemiology Division, Ministry of Health and Social Services, Namibia. “It will also highlight operational challenges encountered during outbreak response and inform targeted interventions.”
Zimbabwe, meanwhile, reported a 180% surge in cumulative malaria cases between Week 1 and Week 17 of 2025 — rising from 21,309 cases in 2024 to 59,647 in 2025. Malaria-related deaths increased by 218%, from 45 in 2024 to 143 in 2025, with Mashonaland Central, Manicaland and Mashonaland West accounting for over 80% of cases.
“This operational research will generate actionable evidence for optimising vector control operations, updating policy, reinforcing health system delivery, and informing cross-border initiatives,” said Professor Nicholas Midzi, Director of the National Public Health Institute of Zimbabwe.
The study will also evaluate integrated indoor residual spraying and antimalarial mass treatment strategies, as well as supply-chain effectiveness and the roles of community health workers, to inform future policy and decision-making.
The research is expected to yield evidence-based recommendations to strengthen malaria surveillance, outbreak response and case management, while enhancing regional capacity for malaria elimination in the three countries.
“Africa CDC remains committed to supporting Member States in their efforts to control and eliminate malaria. This operational research is a key step towards generating evidence-based solutions to end malaria in Southern Africa,” the statement concluded.
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Margaret Edwin | Director of Communication and Public Information | Africa CDC Edwinm@africacdc.org
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The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is a public health agency of the African Union. It is autonomous and supports member states in strengthening health systems. It also helps improve disease surveillance, emergency response, and disease control.
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