Ouagadougou: The national multisectoral committee for the elimination of malaria, through its technical working group in charge of resource mobilization, initiated on Wednesday an advocacy campaign with actors in the Burkinabe private sector in order to encourage their greater involvement in the elimination of malaria.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the objective of the meeting is to mobilize the Burkinabe private sector so that it positions itself as a key player in the elimination of malaria, through concrete actions, said the president of the Technical Working Group on Communication, Advocacy and Resource Mobilization, Compaore/Yoni Brigitte.

The president highlighted that the fight against malaria in 2025 was marked by a 32% reduction in cases and a 44% reduction in deaths related to the disease compared to 2024. However, she emphasized the need for further efforts by strengthening the contribution of businesses in this fight. "Committing to the fight against malaria is not only an act of solidarity, it is also a profitable investment," she stated, highlighting the benefits linked to a healthy workforce and a more stable economic environment.

The meeting aimed to explain the health and economic issues related to malaria, share the priorities of the National Multisectoral Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination with the private sector, identify concrete avenues for engagement, and define the basis for an annual coordination and monitoring mechanism.

Ms. Compaore proposed several courses of action for companies, indicating that their contribution can consist of financial and material support for prevention and care programs, the implementation of internal initiatives to protect employees and their families, and the development of partnerships with health actors.

For its part, the private sector, represented by Dr. Isma«l Bidiga, has already pledged to work alongside the State and all stakeholders to make the elimination of malaria a shared priority and a collective success. "The private sector, as an engine of economic growth and a provider of jobs, cannot thrive sustainably in an environment where health challenges, particularly malaria, continue to significantly affect human capital," argued Dr. Bidiga.

Faced with these health challenges for businesses, the private sector's commitment to the fight against malaria is no longer solely a matter of corporate social responsibility, but constitutes a strategic lever for performance, sustainability, and competitiveness, he said.