Latest News
Ecobank, partners fight malaria with business leadership initiative
News Highlight
Malaria is responsible for Africa losing 4.3bn working days, 1.5bn school days, and also costs the continent an estimated $12bn per year.
To commemorate World Malaria Day, the pan-African bank group, Ecobank, through its Ecobank Foundation, has reaffirmed its commitment to fighting malaria through its ongoing 2020 partnership with Speak Up Africa, a non-profit advocacy organisation, and the RBM Partnership. Through the Zero Malaria Business Leadership Initiative (ZMBLI), now operational in Benin, Burkina Faso, Senegal and Uganda, the Group has already raised nearly $500,000 and has engaged 37 local businesses, Ecobank said in a statement.
“ZMBLI demonstrates the bank's deep commitment to leverage its expertise and network of clients and partners to address the critical public health challenge of malaria,” the bank said.
Malaria remains a major cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa, causing nearly 602,000 deaths in 2020, of which 80% were children aged under five. In the same year, almost 34% of pregnant women suffered from malaria, resulting in 819,000 babies being born with a higher risk of developing long-term health problems.
Malaria is also a socio-economic challenge. According to a study conducted by the National Library of Medicine, malaria is responsible for Africa losing 4.3bn working days, 1.5bn school days, and also costs the continent an estimated $12bn per year.
Related News
Latest Blogs
- Historical insights for Nigerian Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund
- Rethinking Nigeria's development for people-centred outcomes
- Moving from prohibition to regulation, what’s next for crypto in Nigeria?
- The way out of Africa’s unsustainable debt and underdevelopment
- The Tah Doctrine: A presidential mandate for Africa’s next chapter
Most Popular News
- Artificial intelligence can help to reduce youth unemployment in Africa – ...
- Valor Hospitality announces two deals in Nigeria, Senegal
- African Development Bank elects Sidi Ould Tah ninth president
- Global space economy market to surpass $511 billion in 2029
- AWIEF opens nominations for 2025 awards for Africa’s women entrepreneurs
- GenAI to mostly transform and not replace 25% of exposed jobs