Harare: Malaria is on the rise in southern Africa, with several countries—including Botswana, eSwatini, Namibia, and Zimbabwe—reporting new outbreaks, underscoring the ongoing challenges in eradicating the disease in Africa.
According to African Press Organization, data from the Surveillance and Disease Intelligence Division of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) reveals a dramatic spike in Zimbabwe, where suspected cases have increased in 2025. As of epidemiological week 23 of 2025, Zimbabwe has reported 111,998 cases and 310 deaths, compared to 29,031 cases with 49 deaths in the same period in 2024.
This surge is no coincidence, says Dr. Memory Mapfumo, an epidemiologist at the Africa CDC. Prolonged rains have fueled mosquito breeding, while activities like gold panning, fishing, and artisanal mining are exposing more individuals to risk, especially during peak mosquito activity hours. A contributing factor is the interconnectedness of the countries, which drives transmission.
Southern Africa remains vulnerable to the disease due to climatic conditions that favor mosquito breeding, cross-border population movements, and localized outbreaks in high-risk areas. The region's malaria burden fluctuates with rainfall patterns, human activities such as mining and agriculture, and gaps in healthcare access, making sustained intervention crucial for reducing transmission.
As climate change accelerates, shifts in temperature and rainfall are expanding the range of malaria-carrying mosquitoes, introducing vectors into previously unaffected regions, said Dr. Merawi Aragaw, head of Africa CDC's Surveillance and Disease Intelligence. He emphasized that this is not only a regional issue but a global challenge that calls for coordinated international efforts. Sustained vector control measures will be critical in mitigating the growing threat of vector-borne diseases, especially malaria.
The regional surge underscores a broader global trend, with malaria cases worldwide climbing to 263 million in 2023, up from 252 million the previous year, and Africa accounting for 95% of all malaria-related deaths. Despite these alarming figures, there have been significant successes: Cabo Verde was certified malaria-free in 2023, and Egypt is poised to achieve the same in 2024.
Yet for many countries in southern Africa, the road to elimination remains steep, with outbreaks threatening to reverse years of progress. In Botswana, for instance, since epidemiological weeks 1-23 of 2025, the country has recorded 2,223 cases and 11 deaths, compared to 218 cases and no deaths in the same period in 2024. Okavango has been hit hardest, accounting for 69% of the cases.
Flooding caused by heavy rains has contributed significantly to the outbreak. Many local residents remain unaware of the risks, contributing to delayed responses when symptoms first appear. Botswana's Ministry of Health has intensified case management and surveillance, launched community engagement campaigns, and distributed ITNs, although efforts have been hindered by inadequate funding and community resistance.
The Kingdom of eSwatini is also grappling with an upsurge in malaria cases, with 187 cases recorded from July 2024 to March 2025. Children under 15 years account for 15% of the reported cases. The Ministry of Health has increased its response efforts, including indoor residual spraying and the distribution of ITNs.
Namibia has reported over 89,959 cases and 146 deaths since November 2024. Of these cases, 18% are imported from neighboring countries experiencing malaria outbreaks, and 82% are local. The hardest-hit districts include Katima Mulilo, Nkurenkuru, Andara, Outapi, and Rundu.
According to Africa CDC, the increase in malaria cases in the region highlights the pressing need for continued vigilance and investment in malaria control. Efforts to enhance case management, improve surveillance, and increase the use of ITNs are critical in curbing transmission in high-risk areas. Equally important is the need for a concerted effort to address delays in reporting, ensuring the timely and accurate collection of data to inform public health interventions. While the fight against malaria remains an uphill battle, the successes in Cabo Verde and Egypt offer hope that with the right strategies, the elimination of malaria in southern Africa is possible.