The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has rolled out a new operational research programme targeting malaria resurgence in Lesotho, Namibia and Zimbabwe; a move signalling a broader regional push to modernise malaria control strategies amid shifting transmission patterns across Southern Africa.
Supported by a US$150,000 grant from the World Bank, the month-long research initiative represents a strategic shift: placing data-driven, locally tailored evidence at the centre of malaria elimination efforts, rather than relying solely on traditional intervention models.
Southern Africa has witnessed an unsettling increase in outbreaks over the past two years, driven by climate variability, cross-border mobility, and evolving mosquito behaviours. Africa CDC officials say the new research programme aims to uncover how these emerging dynamics are reshaping malaria risks and how countries can adapt.
“Southern Africa’s malaria landscape is changing faster than our traditional tools can keep up,” said Dr. Lul Pout Riek, Director of the Southern Africa Regional Co-ordinating Centre. “This research will help Member States move from reactive responses to predictive, evidence-led strategies.”
While previous malaria interventions have focused heavily on case management and reactive spraying, this new research emphasises understanding the systems behind outbreaks — from vector ecology to healthcare access barriers and cross-border transmission patterns.
The study will assess how various larvicides and integrated vector-control tools perform in real-world settings, and will examine the sustainability and acceptability of these approaches among communities.
Dr. Mosoka Papa Fallah, Acting Director of the Science and Innovation Directorate, noted that advanced tools such as mathematical modelling, vector bionomics and simulation analysis will play a central role. “We are moving toward predictive analytics that can anticipate hotspots, not just respond to them,” he said.
Lesotho continues to experience localised outbreaks. Officials hope to map the country’s evolving mosquito ecology and understand why certain districts face heightened vulnerability. “We need clarity on our entomological landscape to refine our elimination pathway,” said Mr. Khotso Mahomo of the Ministry of Health.
In Namibia, with nearly 6,000 confirmed cases and 28 deaths recorded between December 2024 and January 2025, it faces a complex mix of imported and locally transmitted infections. “We must identify the social and environmental factors pushing severe disease in certain communities,” said Dr. Iyaloo Mwaningange.
Zimbabwe has recorded the sharpest rise, with cases soaring by 180% and deaths by more than 200% in early 2025. The steep increase in provinces such as Mashonaland Central and Manicaland has raised alarms about weakening surveillance systems. “This study will help us refine our vector control strategy and strengthen our cross-border response mechanisms,” said Professor Nicholas Midzi.
Beyond immediate outbreak concerns, the research will test the performance of integrated indoor residual spraying, mass drug administration (MDA), and the capacity of local supply chains. It will also examine community health worker networks — often the first point of contact during outbreaks — to identify where training, tools or logistics fall short.
Africa CDC states that the evidence generated will inform national policies and feed into regional malaria elimination frameworks, ultimately supporting coordinated cross-border initiatives where transmission corridors remain active.
Article by RB reporter
Photo courtesy / Africa CDC
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