African Leaders Malaria Alliance

African Leaders Malaria Alliance
Name	African Leaders Malaria Alliance
Founded	2009
Headquarters	New York City, United States
Key people	Joy Phumaphi (Executive Secretary)
Focus	Malaria control and elimination
Website	https://alma2030.org/

African Leaders Malaria Alliance. The African Leaders Malaria Alliance is a coalition of African Union heads of state and government established to drive accountability and action for malaria elimination across the continent. Founded in 2009, it operates as a high-level platform for advocacy, resource mobilization, and the tracking of progress against malaria and other neglected tropical diseases. Its work is closely aligned with the goals of the World Health Organization and the broader Sustainable Development Goals.

History and formation

The alliance was formally launched in 2009 by a group of African heads of state during the United Nations General Assembly in New York City. Its creation was a direct response to the stalled progress in combating malaria following the initial successes of initiatives like the Roll Back Malaria Partnership and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Founding champions included leaders such as Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania and the late Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia, who sought to instill political ownership and regular review mechanisms. The formation was also supported by key partners including the United Nations Development Programme and the African Union Commission.

Objectives and mission

The primary mission is to eliminate malaria in Africa by 2030 through sustained high-level political leadership and mutual accountability among member states. Core objectives include accelerating the implementation of national malaria control programs, ensuring universal coverage of preventive and treatment tools like insecticide-treated nets and artemisinin-based combination therapy, and mobilizing domestic and international financing. The alliance also aims to address cross-cutting issues such as strengthening health systems and integrating responses to other diseases, aligning with the Abuja Declaration targets.

Key initiatives and programs

A flagship initiative is the **ALMA Scorecard for Accountability and Action**, a data-driven tool that tracks key performance indicators across member countries and is reviewed regularly at the African Union Summit. The **Zero Malaria Starts with Me** campaign, launched in 2018 in partnership with the RBM Partnership to End Malaria and the African Union, is a continent-wide movement to mobilize all sectors of society. Other critical programs focus on seasonal malaria chemoprevention in the Sahel region, advocacy for increased manufacturing of commodities within Africa, and the **ALMA Awards for Excellence** presented during the African Union gatherings.

Governance and membership

The alliance is governed by a rotating chairmanship held by a sitting African head of state; past chairs have included President Hage Geingob of Namibia and President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya. The day-to-day operations are managed by a secretariat, led by Executive Secretary Joy Phumaphi, formerly of the World Bank. Membership comprises all 55 member states of the African Union, with engagement coordinated through national malaria control program managers and ministers of health. Key decision-making occurs during the annual African Union Summit and dedicated side meetings.

Impact and achievements

The alliance has been instrumental in placing malaria high on the continental political agenda, contributing to a significant reduction in malaria mortality rates across Africa since its inception. Its scorecard system has improved data transparency and prompted action in countries like Senegal, Zambia, and Rwanda. Advocacy efforts have supported major funding commitments from the Global Fund and the United States President's Malaria Initiative. The **Zero Malaria** campaign has been adopted in over 30 countries, increasing local ownership and community engagement in line with the World Health Organization's Global Technical Strategy.

Partnerships and funding

The alliance works with a broad coalition of multilateral, private, and philanthropic partners. Key institutional partners include the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children's Fund, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the African Development Bank. Funding is secured through contributions from member states, grants from development partners, and support from entities like the Global Fund and PMI. Collaborative initiatives are also undertaken with regional economic communities such as the Economic Community of West African States and the Southern African Development Community to harmonize cross-border efforts.

Category:Health organizations based in Africa Category:Malaria organizations Category:African Union