csrreporters 
On World Mosquito Day, Target Malaria, a not-for-profit research consortium, renewed its call for increased investment in cutting-edge technology, local talent, and strong partnerships to eradicate malaria a disease that claims over 500,000 African lives annually, the majority of them children.
The group is at the forefront of gene drive technology, a groundbreaking approach aimed at reducing the population of malaria-transmitting mosquitoes. In a public statement, Target Malaria emphasized that Africa’s fight against malaria must be rooted in innovation, community trust, and capacity-building.
“Every child lost to malaria is a failure of imagination and investment,” said Dr. Léa Paré Toé, Stakeholder Engagement Lead at the Health Sciences Research Institute in Burkina Faso. “We’re urging the world not just to invest in science, but in the people and partnerships that make it impactful.”
Dr. Paré Toé highlighted the consortium’s deep engagement with communities in Burkina Faso and Uganda, noting that trust and transparency are the foundation of their research model.
“You can’t introduce scientific innovation without first investing in the trust of communities. These communities aren’t just beneficiaries they’re co-creators,” she said.
To enhance understanding and acceptance of gene drive research, Target Malaria has rolled out creative engagement tools including interactive theatre, radio programs, and visual storytelling. This grassroots-driven approach has become a blueprint for responsible and inclusive research across Africa.
The consortium is also investing heavily in training the next generation of African scientists. Through partnerships with institutions like the African Centre of Excellence for Biotechnological Innovations at Nazi Boni University, led by Prof. Abdoulaye Diabaté, students at master’s and PhD levels are receiving hands-on experience in cutting-edge vector biology and genetic research.
“Our aim is to build African scientific leadership that can adapt emerging technologies to solve Africa’s health challenges,” said Prof. Diabaté. “The next big breakthrough in malaria must not just happen in Africa it must be led by Africans.”
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