Ecobank Group (www.Ecobank.com) confirms its commitment to support
ending malaria, launching the first-of-its-kind Zero Malaria Business
Leadership Initiative in partnership with Dakar-based not-for-profit
strategic communications and advocacy organization, Speak Up Africa, and
the UN-hosted RBM Partnership to End Malaria.
The new programme is set out to drive private-sector engagement on the
fight against malaria in Africa. It supports the Pan-African Zero
Malaria Starts with Me Movement, led by the African Union and the RBM
Partnership to End Malaria launched two years ago today by African Heads
of States at the 31st African Union Summit in Nouakchott.
The collaboration will support malaria-affected countries across the
continent, starting with Benin, Burkina Faso and Senegal by advocating
for stronger political will, increased funding, and stronger targeted
disease elimination responses. The campaign’s objectives are three-fold:
Foster domestic resource mobilization for sustained financing of malaria
control and elimination programs
Mobilize businesses and business leaders to contribute to the reduction
and elimination of malaria;
Leverage Ecobank’s networks and partners to reinforce or create
collaborative platforms.
“Ultimately, ending malaria will increase prosperity across Africa, by
creating a healthier workforce that can drive economic growth. The
Ecobank Group is thrilled to collaborate with Speak Up Africa, the RBM
Partnership to End Malaria and the African Union on the Zero Malaria
Business Leadership Initiative, and to use its position as a platform
for coordinated action against this treatable and preventable disease”,
says Paul-Harry Aithnard, Regional Executive UEMOA, Ecobank.
Originally launched in Senegal in 2014, Zero Malaria Starts with Me
engages political leaders, the private sector, and communities to take
action to protect themselves from malaria, and the new initiative will
continue to progress this mission. To date, 15 countries across the
continent have rolled out their own national Zero Malaria campaigns.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over US $10 billion
is needed to implement national strategic plans for malaria control in
30 African countries over the next three years[1]. However, despite all
the efforts made by governments, funding for the fight against malaria
remains a challenge. An annual US $2 billion in additional global
funding is required to reach all those at risk of malaria, outlining the
importance of private-sector engagement.
“To become the generation to end malaria, it is crucial that we increase
funding to fight this disease to protect everyone at risk. There is an
incredible opportunity for the private sector to join the fight, and we
are thrilled to see the Ecobank Group leading the way with the Zero
Malaria Business Leadership Initiative. By increasing private-sector
funding and engagement, we will unlock valuable resources and
mobilization, that will go a long way in helping us rid the African
continent of malaria once and for all”, highlights Dr. Abdourahmane
Diallo, CEO of the RBM Partnership to End Malaria.
Malaria remains one of the continent’s deadliest diseases, with more
than 400,000 fatalities in 2018 alone. Malaria not only impacts the
health of communities across Africa but prosperity too, as the disease
limits economic growth and increases poverty amongst the workforce.
H.E Amira Elfadil Mohammed Elfadil, Commissioner for Social Affairs, the
African Union, comments, “We are incredibly proud to play our role in
the Zero Malaria Starts with Me Movement, and this new Business
Leadership Initiative is an important step to engaging Africa’s
flourishing private sector. The fight to end malaria continues to be one
of our continent’s biggest challenges, but our people have shown
incredible commitment to end suffering and achieve progress against this
deadly, but preventable disease. We hope that other organisations join
our movement and support this noble cause.”
Although global investments in the malaria fight have helped to save 7
million lives and prevent more than 1 billion cases of malaria since
2000, COVID-19 now threatens these hard-won gains. WHO estimates that in
the worst-case scenario, the new virus could double malaria deaths in
2020.
“Everyone has a role to play in the elimination of malaria, which is
what the Zero Malaria Starts with Me campaign embodies. Private sector
participation in malaria control and elimination is key, and Ecobank
Group is a leader who is well-placed to bring more like-minded partners
and resources to the table. Together, we can work to move malaria higher
up on the political agenda by creating a strong network for action. We
call for more businesses to join us in our mission of freeing
communities from the burden of malaria”, concludes Yacine Djibo,
Executive Director, Speak Up Africa.