Malaria mortality in Burkina Faso decreased by 48% — from 3,500 in 2024 to 1,900 in 2025. This was announced by the country's Minister of Health, Lucien Jean-Claude Kargougou, during a council of ministers meeting on February 19.
According to him, the number of malaria cases decreased by 32% — from 10.8 million in 2024 to 7.3 million in 2025. The minister described the progress in combating malaria as "historic."
"The number of malaria cases decreased from 10.8 million in 2024 to 7.32 million in 2025, demonstrating a 32% reduction. Among children under five, the reduction was more than 1.9 million cases, or approximately 38%. The number of malaria deaths fell from 3,520 in 2024 to 1,900 in 2025 — a 48% decrease," the statement read.
In the minister's view, the decline in malaria incidence and mortality reflects the effectiveness of the government's efforts to combat the disease and improve the population's living conditions. He added that as part of the ministry's disease control efforts, 15 million insecticide-treated mosquito nets were distributed to Burkinabe citizens.
In August 2025, Burkina Faso's authorities suspended the activities of the Target Malaria project, which was funded by the Bill Gates Foundation.
Malaria remains one of the most dangerous tropical diseases. Although the WHO and local health authorities are actively working to combat infection, mortality rates have remained stubbornly high until this recent significant decline.
