As global malaria cases climb to 282 million in 2024—an increase of 9 million from the previous year—and deaths reach 610,000, fresh concerns are emerging that decades of progress in the fight against malaria are beginning to reverse, particularly across Africa.
Marking World Malaria Day, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, issued a stark warning: malaria remains a “persistent global killer,” claiming a life every minute, despite the availability of proven tools for prevention and treatment.
The latest World Malaria Report underscores the scale of the challenge, highlighting that Africa continues to bear the overwhelming burden of infections and fatalities, driven by gaps in healthcare access, climate-related disruptions, and funding constraints.
Against this backdrop, Chevron Corporation is intensifying its malaria intervention programmes across Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and Cameroon, positioning itself as a key private-sector contributor to public health outcomes in high-burden regions.
In Nigeria, Chevron’s efforts are aligned with national priorities through partnerships with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, PATH, and the Corporate Alliance on Malaria in Africa, supporting implementation under the National Malaria Elimination Programme.
These interventions have focused on:
- Distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets
- Training of frontline health workers
- Strengthening of disease surveillance systems
- Large-scale community awareness campaigns
Chevron-backed programmes have reached thousands of households in the Niger Delta, contributing to improved early diagnosis and reduced malaria risks in vulnerable communities.
Speaking on the company’s approach, Brent Gros, President of Chevron’s Offshore Business Unit, emphasized that the company’s strategy is anchored on long-term partnerships that build local capacity and support government-led initiatives.
Similarly, Jim Swartz, Chairman and Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria and the Mid-Africa Business Unit, highlighted the company’s sustained commitment, noting that Chevron remains one of the largest corporate contributors to the Global Fund.
According to Swartz, Chevron’s malaria interventions extend beyond funding to include:
- Advocacy and policy support
- Capacity building within local health systems
- Deep community engagement initiatives
- Bioko Island Project Marks 20 Years of Measurable Impact
Beyond Nigeria, Chevron continues to play a pivotal role in the Bioko Island Malaria Elimination Project in Equatorial Guinea—a globally recognised initiative that marked 20 years of sustained impact in 2023.
The project has become a model for; Data-driven malaria control strategies, Public-private collaboration and
Long-term disease reduction efforts.
In Cameroon, Chevron’s support for Global Fund-backed programmes is further strengthening cross-border malaria control, improving access to preventive tools and expanding treatment coverage.
Health experts warn that the rising malaria burden reflects a convergence of systemic challenges, including health system gaps, environmental pressures, and insufficient financing, particularly in Africa.
With the 2024 theme, “Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must,” stakeholders are calling for intensified collaboration between governments, development partners, and the private sector.
The growing scale of corporate-backed interventions, such as those led by Chevron, highlights the increasing role of private sector participation in complementing public health systems and accelerating progress toward malaria elimination.
