Can India-Africa synergies accelerate malaria elimination? A perspective on South-South Collaboration

Malaria remains a critical public health challenge, disproportionately affecting sub-Saharan Africa. Although subSaharan Africa shoulders the greatest burden of malaria, research led by African institutions continues to receive only a small fraction of global research and development funding. This article reflects on the growing importance of South-South collaboration as a catalyst for advancing malaria research and control efforts. By drawing from initiatives like ANDI, the Elimination 8 (E8) group, and the India-Africa Health Sciences Platform, we illustrate how partnerships among low- and middle-income countries can foster innovation, strengthen local research capacity, improve diagnostic tools, enhance regional surveillance systems and address shared challenges. We also discuss barriers such as limited funding and fragmented systems, and outline strategies, like regional investment and regulatory harmonization, that could help unlock the full potential of these South-South collaborations.