Scientists test new malaria solution as 2030 target doubtful

Scientists across Africa have begun exploring new ways to reduce the spread of malaria as the continent remains far off meeting the African Union’s target of eliminating malaria by 2030.

The scientists under the auspices of Target Malaria are exploring whether gene drive technology could help reduce populations of these malaria-carrying mosquitoes or stop the parasite from being passed on from mosquito to human.

Using a genetic approach, scientists are investigating a possible innovation that could complement existing interventions, such as bed nets, insecticides, drugs and vaccines.

According to a publication by African Media Agency, the scientists’ effort stems from the recognition of a widening global funding gap, combined with growing challenges such as insecticide resistance, climate pressures and fragile health systems, which have raised concerns that malaria could resurge if sustained investment and innovation are not prioritised.

The AMA publication read, “Despite continued efforts, Africa remains off track to meet the African Union’s target of eliminating malaria by 2030, with progress slowing since 2015 and only a handful of countries reaching key reduction milestones.

Scientists from Target Malaria are exploring whether gene drive technology could help reduce populations of these malaria-carrying mosquitoes or stop the parasite from being passed on from mosquito to human.

“This means researchers need to study complementary approaches that could strengthen malaria prevention to save lives. Among these is gene drive technology, a genetic approach that scientists are investigating as a possible innovation that could complement existing interventions, such as bed nets, insecticides, drugs and vaccines.”

This research comes ahead of this year’s World Malaria Day on April 25, and the 2025 Africa Malaria Progress report, released in February 2026, which pointed out that momentum in the fight against malaria by African countries has stalled.

The report revealed that AU member states accounted for 270.8 million malaria cases (96 per cent of the global total) and 594,119 deaths (97 per cent of the global total) in 2024.

The report had noted that progress in the fight had stalled since 2015, as only five member states achieved the 2025 Catalytic Framework targets for reducing malaria incidence or mortality by 75 per cent.

Pointing to declining international funding and intensifying threats, the report warned that malaria could resurge significantly, with cases potentially exceeding 400 million per year and deaths surpassing one million annually.

Following the report, African Heads of State and Government at the 39th African Union Summit in Ethiopia called for a new era of malaria financing, which includes domestic resource mobilisation, call on partners to honour their commitments, and demand a renewed World Bank Malaria Booster Programme.

The latest Target Malaria research explores new ways to reduce the spread of malaria, which is regarded as one of the continent’s deadliest diseases.

The research identifies the major mosquito species that transmit malaria as Anopheles gambiae, An. Coluzzii, An. arabiensis and An. funestus.

Developing gene drive mosquitoes is a long and meticulous process that begins in highly controlled laboratory environments.

Dr Martin Lukindu, a post-doctoral research associate at Target Malaria Uganda, however, cautioned that developing gene drive mosquitoes is a long and meticulous process that begins in highly controlled laboratory environments.

He noted that gene drive mosquitoes are still in the research phase, and all studies are conducted in contained laboratories in Europe and the United States.

“There are no gene drive mosquitoes in Africa. Before any future use could be considered, extensive safety studies must be completed, followed by regulatory review in the countries where research would take place. Engagement with communities and agreement from relevant authorities would also be required.

“As scientists, our goal remains the same: reduce malaria transmission and save African lives,” Lukindu said.

The research process would include researchers designing genetic modifications and carefully introducing them into mosquito embryos using extremely fine needles under microscopes.

“The process must be done shortly after mosquito eggs are laid, when the embryos are at the right stage of development. Only a few researchers in the world have this know-how.

“Because the procedure is delicate, not all modified embryos will produce modified mosquitoes; sometimes the genetic modification does not succeed. Scientists then identify which mosquitoes successfully carry the genetic modification and establish laboratory colonies to continue studying the trait over multiple generations.

“These colonies allow researchers to observe how the modification is passed on and whether it is inherited at expected rates,” the AMA publication indicated.

It also details testing safety and efficacy procedures, including that once a colony has been established, scientists would carry out extensive laboratory testing to study how the mosquitoes behave and how the modification spreads.

Initial studies are to take place in small laboratory cages, where researchers observe how gene drive mosquitoes interact and reproduce with wild mosquitoes of the same species.

Further testing is then conducted in larger indoor environments designed to mimic natural conditions, allowing scientists to better understand how the modification might behave outside the laboratory.

The researchers would also study important factors such as mosquito lifespan, biting behaviour, disease transmission potential, and resistance to insecticides, comparing gene drive mosquitoes to their wild counterparts.

“Mathematical modelling is used alongside laboratory studies to predict how the modification might spread through mosquito populations and what impact it could have on malaria transmission.

“Innovation and investment are essential in the fight against malaria, but so is transparency. People must understand how new technologies are researched, assessed and tested before they are ever considered for use,” Lukindu added.

Target Malaria is a not-for-profit research consortium that aims to develop and share new, cost-effective and sustainable genetic technologies to modify mosquitoes and reduce malaria transmission.