Burkina Faso’s historic malaria decline in 2025 propels 2030 elimination goal

Burkina Faso has achieved a significant milestone in its ongoing battle against malaria, a disease the nation aims to eradicate by 2030. The year 2025 marked an unprecedented reduction in both malaria cases and associated fatalities. Dr. Lucien Jean-Claude Kargougou, the Minister of Health, addressed the press in Ouagadougou on Friday, February 20, 2026, to share these encouraging developments.

The total number of malaria incidents recorded in Burkina Faso saw a notable decrease, falling from 10,805,000 cases in 2024 to 7,329,000 cases in 2025, representing an impressive 32% drop. For children under the age of five, this reduction was even more pronounced, with over 1,900,000 fewer cases, approximately 38%.

Malaria-related deaths also experienced a sharp decline, decreasing by 48% from 3,523 fatalities in 2024 to 1,900 in 2025. Among the most vulnerable group, children under five, the Minister of Health highlighted a reduction of 893 deaths in the same period.

According to Dr. Lucien Jean-Claude Kargougou, Burkina Faso’s objective is unequivocal: «Eliminating malaria by 2030». He emphasized the critical steps required to achieve this vision: «To reach this goal, we must sustain our current efforts, enhance living environment sanitation, intensify the implementation of high-impact interventions such as malaria vaccination, consistent use of mosquito nets, and Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC+). Furthermore, strengthening communication for behavioral change, solidifying community engagement, and ensuring sustainable funding are paramount.»

The Health Minister underscored that these encouraging outcomes are not coincidental. «They stem from a clear political vision, championed by His Excellency the President of Faso, Head of State, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who prioritizes equitable access to healthcare and population protection within public policy,» he stated.

These results also reflect the unwavering commitment of the Government and the collective mobilization of all national stakeholders and partners.

Dr. Kargougou highlighted that the establishment of the National Multisectoral Committee for Malaria Control (CONAMEP) has significantly improved national coordination. This initiative reinforces the strong belief that malaria elimination is only achievable through multisectoral collaboration and the active involvement of communities.

«The nationwide campaign for the universal and free distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets successfully distributed nearly 15 million next-generation bi-impregnated nets, with a clear objective: to achieve an utilization rate of at least 80%. These innovative bi-impregnated nets have demonstrated superior effectiveness against insecticide resistance compared to previous net types used in our country,» he elaborated.

More than 33,000 community volunteers and 7,000 health agents traversed cities and remote villages, including areas facing security challenges, to ensure fair protection for households, as reported by the Health Minister. «This direct outreach has fostered greater community ownership and collective responsibility,» he affirmed.

Additionally, the scaling up of free malaria vaccination, initiated on August 14, 2025, across all 70 health districts nationwide, represents another historic stride in Burkina Faso’s fight against the disease.

For Lucien Jean-Claude Kargougou, the historical significance of these results lies in the widespread understanding that malaria control is fundamentally a battle of behaviors and social acceptance.
«Community mobilization and effective communication have been central to our strategy. Locally adapted information campaigns, the engagement of community and religious leaders, door-to-door awareness efforts, and media involvement have transformed prevention tools into actionable practices: sleeping under mosquito nets, vaccinating children, and seeking early medical attention for fever,» he explained.

In light of these achievements, Minister Kargougou urged all stakeholders to maintain this momentum to overcome the challenge of malaria elimination.

«We call upon all actors: local authorities, civil society organizations, technical and financial partners, community leaders, media, and the general population, to continue and intensify these efforts. Together, we have demonstrated that it is possible to significantly reduce malaria. Together, we will eliminate malaria in Burkina Faso,» he declared.