May 22, 2025
Despite being preventable, malaria is the leading cause of child mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa

In 2021, malaria was the leading cause of death among children under five in more than 20 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
In Nigeria, over 125,000 young children died from it — that’s 340 every day, one child around every four minutes. The country accounts for one-third of all under‑5 malaria deaths in the world.
Malaria is both preventable and treatable. But millions of children still lack access to basic protection: bed nets, timely treatment, and safe living conditions. We’ve seen malaria eliminated elsewhere.
The tools exist; the challenge is getting them to those who need them most.