Burkina Faso has achieved a significant milestone in its fight against malaria, a disease the nation is committed to eradicating by 2030. The year 2025 marked an unprecedented reduction in both malaria cases and associated fatalities. Dr. Lucien Jean-Claude Kargougou, the Minister of Health, shared these encouraging updates with the press on Friday, February 20, 2026, in Ouagadougou.
Malaria instances across Burkina Faso saw a substantial decrease, falling from 10,805,000 reported cases in 2024 to 7,329,000 in 2025, representing an impressive 32% decline. Specifically among children under five years old, the reduction was even more pronounced, with over 1,900,000 fewer cases, approximately a 38% decrease.
The mortality rate from malaria also experienced a dramatic drop, with deaths decreasing by 48% from 3,523 in 2024 to 1,900 in 2025. For the vulnerable demographic of children under five, Minister Kargougou highlighted a reduction of 893 deaths recorded during 2025.
Dr. Lucien Jean-Claude Kargougou articulated Burkina Faso’s unequivocal goal: «Eliminer le paludisme d’ici à l’horizon 2030». He emphasized the multifaceted strategy required to achieve this, stating, «To succeed, we must sustain our current trajectory, enhance environmental sanitation, bolster the implementation of high-impact interventions such as malaria vaccination, widespread use of mosquito nets, and seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC+). Additionally, reinforcing communication for behavioral change, solidifying community engagement, and ensuring sustainable funding are crucial.»
The Minister of Health underscored that these positive outcomes were not coincidental. He attributed them to «a clear political vision championed by His Excellency the President of Faso, Head of State, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who prioritizes equitable access to healthcare and population protection at the core of public policy.»
These achievements also reflect the unwavering commitment of the Government and the collective mobilization of all national stakeholders and partners, he further noted.
Dr. Kargougou highlighted that the establishment of the National Multisectoral Committee for Malaria Control (CONAMEP) significantly enhanced national coordination. This initiative reinforced a core belief: that successful malaria elimination hinges on comprehensive multisectoral mobilization and the active participation of communities.
«The nationwide campaign for the universal and free distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets successfully delivered nearly 15 million latest-generation bi-impregnated nets. This effort was driven by a clear objective: to achieve an utilization rate of at least 80%.
These innovative bi-impregnated mosquito nets have proven more effective in combating insecticide resistance compared to the nets previously used throughout our country,» he added.
According to the Minister of Health, over 33,000 community volunteers and 7,000 health workers traversed towns and villages, even reaching areas facing security challenges, to ensure equitable protection for households. He asserted, «This close engagement has fostered greater community ownership and collective responsibility.»
Furthermore, he noted that the nationwide rollout of free malaria vaccination, implemented across all 70 health districts since August 14, 2025, represents another historic stride in Burkina Faso’s battle against the disease.
Lucien Jean-Claude Kargougou emphasized that the historical nature of these achievements stems from a collective understanding that combating malaria is fundamentally a struggle for behavioral change and social acceptance.
«Community mobilization and strategic communication have been central to our approach. Information campaigns tailored to local contexts, the active involvement of community and religious leaders, door-to-door awareness initiatives, and media engagement have successfully translated prevention tools into tangible practices: sleeping under mosquito nets, ensuring children receive vaccinations, and seeking early medical attention for fever.» he said.
To this end, Minister Kargougou urged all stakeholders to maintain this momentum and rise to the challenge of malaria elimination.
He concluded with a powerful call to action: «We appeal to all stakeholders—local authorities, civil society organizations, technical and financial partners, community leaders, media, and the general population—to continue and intensify these efforts. Together, we have proven that it is possible to significantly reduce malaria. Together, we will eliminate malaria in Burkina Faso.»
