Burkina Faso has achieved a remarkable milestone in its battle against malaria, a disease the nation is determined to eradicate by 2030. In 2025, the country witnessed an unprecedented decline in both malaria cases and fatalities, marking a significant turning point in public health efforts.

Health Minister Dr. Lucien Jean-Claude Kargougou announced these breakthrough results during a press briefing in Ouagadougou, underscoring the country’s unwavering commitment to combating the disease. The number of malaria cases plummeted from 10,805,000 in 2024 to 7,329,000 in 2025—a 32% reduction. Among children under five, the decline was even more pronounced, with over 1.9 million fewer cases reported, representing a 38% decrease.

Malaria-related deaths also saw a substantial drop, falling from 3,523 in 2024 to 1,900 in 2025, a 48% reduction. For children under five, the decrease was striking, with deaths dropping from 893 to none reported in 2025—a testament to the effectiveness of targeted interventions.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Kargougou emphasized the government’s ambitious goal: “Eliminating malaria by 2030 is not just a target—it’s a necessity.” He outlined critical steps to sustain progress, including:

• Strengthening environmental sanitation to reduce breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
• Scaling up high-impact interventions, such as malaria vaccination, insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs), and seasonal chemoprevention (CPS+).
• Enhancing behavior change communication to encourage preventive practices.
• Fostering community engagement to ensure widespread adoption of protective measures.
• Securing sustainable funding to maintain momentum.

The Minister highlighted the pivotal role of President Captain Ibrahim Traoré in prioritizing equitable healthcare access and population protection. He noted that these achievements stem from a clear political vision and the collective effort of government agencies and partners nationwide.

The establishment of the National Malaria Control Multisectoral Committee (CONAMEP) has strengthened coordination, reinforcing the belief that malaria elimination requires a unified, multisectoral approach and active community participation.

A cornerstone of the strategy was the national campaign to distribute 15 million long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs), including next-generation bi-impregnated nets. These advanced nets, more effective against insecticide resistance, were distributed with the goal of achieving at least 80% usage across households.

Over 33,000 community volunteers and 7,000 health workers traversed urban and rural areas—including high-risk zones—to ensure equitable protection. Their efforts not only improved net usage but also fostered community ownership and collective responsibility.

The introduction of free malaria vaccination in all 70 health districts nationwide, launched on August 14, 2025, marked another historic milestone. Dr. Kargougou stressed that these gains were not accidental but the result of deliberate, locally adapted strategies.

The success underscores the importance of community mobilization and tailored health education. Local leaders, religious figures, and media played a crucial role in transforming prevention tools into everyday practices—such as sleeping under nets, vaccinating children, and seeking early care for fever.

The Minister called on all stakeholders—local governments, civil society, technical partners, financial backers, community leaders, media, and citizens—to sustain and intensify these efforts. “Together, we’ve proven that malaria can be pushed back. Together, we will eliminate it in Burkina Faso by 2030.”