World Malaria Day 2025

Observed on April 25, World Malaria Day 2025 carries the theme “Accelerating Equity in Malaria Prevention and Cure,” underscoring the urgent need to reach communities still lacking access to life-saving vaccines and diagnostics. While global malaria death rates have seen modest declines, the disease continues to claim the life of one child every minute, highlighting the critical need for swift, equity-driven action. As per IMARC projections, the global malaria diagnostics market reached USD 876.6 Million in 2024 and is expected to grow to USD 1,415.9 Million by 2033, with a CAGR of 5.47% during 2025-2033. This anticipated growth signals increasing global investment in diagnostic innovation and accessibility, driven by intensified prevention efforts and expanded vaccination campaigns.

From Hotspots to Frontlines: Who's Winning the Vaccine Race?

As of early 2025, global malaria vaccination efforts show encouraging progress but uneven distribution. The WHO-prequalified RTS, S/AS01 (Mosquirix) vaccine, developed by GSK, continues to be the most widely used. More than 20 African countries have now introduced it in national immunization programs.

Malaria vaccination has advanced, but only in parts of the world. Ghana, Nigeria, Malawi, and Kenya have emerged as leaders, deploying RTS,S/AS01 (Mosquirix) widely, with coverage in some regions reaching over 60% among infants by March 2025.

Meanwhile, Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi are running phased national rollouts of R21/Matrix-M, the newer vaccine from Oxford University and Serum Institute of India, touted for its up to 77% efficacy.

Yet gaps remain. WHO data published in February 2025 highlighted Burkina Faso, Chad, the DRC, and Mozambique as countries with high fatality rates but low vaccination access owing to logistics, conflict, and weak healthcare systems. Papua New Guinea also remains an underserved zone in the Western Pacific.

The Faces Behind the Numbers: Who Malaria Hits Hardest

The most affected remain children under five, who account for nearly 75% of malaria-related deaths, and pregnant women, for whom malaria increases maternal and neonatal risks. Most fatalities occur in rural Sub-Saharan Africa, where over 95% of global malaria deaths occur, healthcare access is limited, and resistance to treatments is rising.

Climate change is intensifying the spread. In January 2025, researchers from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine flagged a notable northward shift of malaria zones into Ethiopia’s highlands and parts of coastal India.

The New Arsenal: Vaccines Powering the Fight

Currently Administered:

• RTS,S/AS01 (Mosquirix) – by GSK, backed by PATH and WHO, the first malaria vaccine to receive global rollout support.
• In July 2024, Ivory Coast began administering the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine, boosting demand for advanced malaria diagnostics. With 6.6 million children targeted across 15 African countries, this rollout intensified diagnostic needs, driving innovation and expanding market opportunities for precise, scalable malaria detection solutions across the continent.

In Pipeline:

• PfSPZ Vaccine – developed by Sanaria; a live-attenuated sporozoite vaccine now in Phase III trials.
• BK-SE36 – developed by Sumitomo Pharma, under testing in Asia and Africa with promising immunogenicity.
• mRNA-based candidates – in pre-clinical trials, supported by BioNTech and the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence.

These vaccines are not just tools, they are lifelines. With each rollout, countries move closer to interrupting transmission chains, especially in high-risk zones.

Science on the Move: Innovations Redefining Possibilities

Malaria control is entering its most innovative phase yet. As of March 2025:

• The next chapter of malaria prevention lies in mRNA technology, AI-driven predictive modeling, and next-generation delivery systems. mRNA platforms popularized by COVID-19 vaccines are being explored for malaria due to their potential for higher efficacy and faster development.
• Additionally, AI tools are helping researchers identify novel antigens and forecast transmission hotspots. At the same time, drone-based distribution systems are being tested in remote African regions to deliver vaccines and diagnostics faster.
• Drones in Sierra Leone are now delivering vaccines to inaccessible rural outposts, cutting delivery time by 70%.

These innovations aim to reduce vaccine dependency on cold chain systems, improve access in hard-to-reach areas, and accelerate outbreak responses.

Global Momentum: WHO, Gavi, and the Gates Foundation Step Up

The Gates Foundation, in a March 2025 update, committed an additional USD 250 Million for next-gen vaccines and insecticide resistance studies.

In March 2025, Burundi's integration of the malaria vaccine into routine immunization heightened demand for malaria diagnostics. With 46% of 2023 cases in children under five, this move accelerated diagnostic needs, strengthening market growth and enabling faster, targeted detection in high-transmission zones.

In February 2025, WHO announced the “Malaria Equity Drive,” a global coalition with Gavi, UNICEF, and the Global Fund, targeting 30 high-burden countries with:

• USD 1.2 Billion in new funding for vaccine procurement and distribution
• Cold-chain infrastructure expansion in 12 nations, including South Sudan and Niger
• Training programs for 80,000+ frontline health workers

In January 2025, WHO launched the "Malaria Vaccine Access Accelerator" a multi-country initiative backed by Gavi, the Global Fund, and UNICEF to ensure equitable vaccine distribution across high-burden nations. The program includes funding for cold-chain infrastructure, health worker training, and community awareness.

Meanwhile, the Africa CDC is spearheading cross-border collaboration through a “One Health” malaria framework launched at the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa.

Businesses Are not Bystanders: The Private Sector’s Role

From vaccine storage to AI tracking and community health education, private firms are driving critical breakthroughs. Logistics firms like Zipline, data platforms like Dimagi, and pharma giants are now co-creating faster, cheaper, and more scalable solutions.

Global supply chains, public health tools, and social innovation will all require corporate engagement to accelerate progress. Companies in healthcare, data science, and biotech are increasingly collaborating with governments and NGOs to co-develop solutions that scale, tapping into public funding while fulfilling ESG goals.

IMARC’s Role: Supporting the Healthcare Revolution

At IMARC Group, we help organizations seize opportunities emerging from the evolving healthcare landscape. With malaria vaccine rollouts, global health fund allocations, and diagnostic innovations gaining momentum, the fight against malaria is entering a transformative phase with renewed hope for widespread prevention and eradication. Whether you are an investor, policymaker, health NGO, or diagnostics manufacturer, IMARC Group provides the intelligence needed to lead in global health—offering data-driven insights, strategic forecasts, and actionable recommendations to drive impactful decisions.

Our experts deliver timely intelligence to help companies:

• Country-wise Vaccine Demand Projections (2025–2030)
• Partner Ecosystem Maps for Africa and Southeast Asia
• R&D Trend Reports on Malaria Diagnostics and Biologics
• Identify partners and entry points in Africa, Asia, and Latin America
• Navigate WHO approvals and national immunization schedules
• ESG-Aligned Opportunity Mapping for Health Investors

In a world where every dose matters, IMARC turns complex data into strategic direction.

A Call to Contribute: From Global Crisis to Global Coordination

World Malaria Day 2025 is more than a commemoration—it is a call to action. With technological breakthroughs, robust policy backing, and increasing public awareness, the global community has a clearer path than ever to reduce malaria deaths.

But real impact will require sustained funding, international cooperation, and private sector engagement. Ending malaria is not just a health goal, it is a development imperative.

Let’s turn insight into impact. Let’s make 2025 a turning point!