As of 2024, HPV vaccines have prevented nearly one million cervical cancer deaths in 29 African countries, while the malaria vaccine—now used in 25 countries—is already reducing severe illness and hospitalisations.
This assessment comes from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the WHO Africa Region, released ahead of African Vaccination Week (April 24–30) and World Malaria Day (April 25).
Since 2000, routine immunisation schedules in Africa have expanded from eight to 13 vaccine-preventable diseases. Vaccines such as HPV and malaria are now providing critical protection for children, young girls, and women.
Recent HPV campaigns in Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, and Angola reached millions of girls within weeks, leveraging schools and existing health programmes despite other outbreaks and competing priorities.
Since 2019, the number of African countries with HPV vaccination programmes has grown from 12 to 35, and coverage has risen from 5% in 2014 to 47% in 2024—second only to the Americas. HPV vaccination has generated an estimated $1.8 billion in economic benefits through avoided treatment costs, productivity gains, and lives saved.
Through the Gavi-supported malaria vaccine programme, implemented with WHO, UNICEF, and partners, over 52 million doses have been delivered since 2023 in some of the continent’s highest-burden, fragile settings. Early reports from Kenya, Malawi, Ghana, and Cameroon show reduced severe disease and hospitalisations, consistent with pilot data.
In Burkina Faso, nationwide rollout across all 70 health districts contributed to a 32% decline in reported malaria cases between 2024 and 2025, sharply reducing cases among children under five and halving malaria-related child deaths. Initial estimates show households saved more than $26.6 million in direct healthcare costs.
WHO is working with partners and governments to reinforce operational systems for malaria vaccine rollout. Regional platforms, like the Economic Community of West African States Assembly, support ministerial engagement as countries transition from introduction to long-term integration.
Dr Robert Lucien Kargougou, Burkina Faso Minister of Health:
“For decades, malaria burdened our health system and families. Thanks to political commitment and nationwide vaccination, combined with bed nets, seasonal chemoprevention, and community sanitation efforts, we are seeing historic declines in cases, deaths, hospitalisations, and healthcare costs.”
Thabani Maphosa, Gavi Chief Country Delivery Officer:
“HPV and malaria vaccines are opening new frontiers in healthcare. Their success reflects the commitment of governments, partners, and communities. But these gains are under threat, putting hundreds of thousands of children at risk. Continued investment in immunisation is essential.”
Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa:
“Vaccines remain among the most effective interventions in Africa, from HPV to malaria. Cervical cancer prevention and malaria control are achievable when countries act decisively, together.”
By 2030, 10 more African countries will introduce HPV vaccines and five more malaria vaccines with Gavi support, aiming to reach 50 million children with a full malaria vaccine course.
However, progress is at risk. Lower-income countries now fund vaccines at record levels, but gaps remain. The malaria programme faces nearly a 30% budget shortfall, potentially reducing its reach. Additional domestic and donor financing is essential.
Between 2026 and 2030, countries will increasingly fund HPV, malaria, and other vaccines from their own budgets, while Gavi shifts over 90% of its procurement budget to direct country control. Funding gaps could result in 600,000 fewer lives saved by 2030.
Cervical cancer disproportionately affects lower-income countries, which account for 90% of the 350,000 deaths recorded in 2022. Malaria remains endemic in 80 countries, half in Africa. Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Mozambique alone accounted for half of all cases in 2024.
