The World Health Organization (WHO) has certified Egypt as malaria-free, marking the culmination of a nearly century-long effort to eradicate the ancient disease from the country.

The historic achievement was confirmed in a statement issued by the global health body on Sunday, with WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus praising Egypt’s commitment to eliminating a disease that dates back to the time of the pharaohs.

“Malaria is as old as Egyptian civilization itself, but the disease that plagued pharaohs now belongs to its history and not its future,” Dr. Ghebreyesus said. “This certification of Egypt as malaria-free is truly historic, and a testament to the commitment of the people and government of Egypt to rid themselves of this ancient scourge. I congratulate Egypt on this achievement, which is an inspiration to other countries in the region, and shows what’s possible with the right resources and the right tools.”

Egypt’s path to malaria elimination has been long and challenging, with efforts to combat the disease stretching back nearly 100 years. Malaria has had a profound historical presence in Egypt, affecting its population since ancient times. In modern times, the Egyptian government launched various initiatives to reduce transmission, including improvements in vector control, surveillance, and treatment methods.

Over the years, Egypt implemented comprehensive malaria control programs that included strategies for mosquito control, such as the use of insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, and effective treatment regimens. Additionally, robust surveillance systems were established to detect and respond swiftly to any cases of imported malaria, preventing the disease from regaining a foothold in the country.

A Milestone for the Eastern Mediterranean Region

Egypt is now the third country in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region to achieve malaria-free certification, joining the United Arab Emirates and Morocco. This certification also marks the first such achievement in the region since 2010, highlighting its significance. Globally, Egypt becomes the 45th entity (44 countries and one territory) to be declared malaria-free, underlining the international community’s ongoing efforts to eliminate the disease.

With this certification, Egypt has demonstrated that there has been no indigenous malaria transmission by Anopheles mosquitoes for at least three consecutive years, meeting WHO’s stringent criteria. Furthermore, the country has proven its capacity to prevent the re-establishment of transmission, a crucial aspect of maintaining the malaria-free status.

Egyptian Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Khaled Ghaffar emphasized that sustaining the malaria-free status requires continued vigilance.

“Receiving the malaria elimination certificate today is not the end of the journey but the beginning of a new phase. We must now work tirelessly and vigilantly to sustain our achievement through maintaining the highest standards for surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment, integrated vector management, and sustaining our effective and rapid response to imported cases,” he said.

Dr. Ghaffar also reiterated Egypt’s commitment to safeguarding public health, stating, “We will continue with determination and strong will to safeguard the health of all people in Egypt under the wise leadership’s guidance and proceed with enhancing our healthcare system, this will remain a cornerstone in protecting the lives of all people living in and visiting Egypt.”

WHO’s Certification Process

Malaria elimination certification by WHO is granted when a country can demonstrate, beyond any reasonable doubt, that indigenous transmission of malaria has been interrupted for at least three years. Additionally, a country must show it has the necessary mechanisms in place to prevent the reintroduction of the disease.

The certification process involves rigorous scrutiny by the Technical Advisory Group on Malaria Elimination and Certification, an independent body that reviews evidence from the country seeking certification. The final decision to award malaria-free status is made by the WHO Director-General, based on the group’s recommendation.

Malaria Elimination in Africa, Still A Long Walk

While Egypt’s certification as malaria-free is a significant victory, it underscores the stark disparity in malaria control efforts across Africa. For instance, Nigeria, the continent’s most populous country, remains deeply entrenched in the struggle against malaria.

The disease continues to be a major public health issue in Nigeria, accounting for a significant proportion of the country’s disease burden. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Nigeria bears the highest malaria burden in the world, with an estimated 27% of global malaria cases and 23% of malaria deaths. The disease is endemic in all parts of Nigeria, and its transmission occurs year-round, with peaks during the rainy season. Vulnerable populations, especially children under five and pregnant women, suffer the most, facing high rates of morbidity and mortality due to the disease.

Despite being a signatory to the Roll Back Malaria initiative, which seeks to reduce malaria cases and deaths in Africa, Nigeria’s efforts have often been hampered by a lack of consistent funding, inadequate health infrastructure, and governance issues. The country has struggled to achieve widespread coverage of preventive measures such as insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS), which are critical components of malaria control.

The Nigerian government’s approach to malaria control has often been characterized by sporadic interventions rather than sustained and coordinated efforts. While some progress has been made in recent years, such as increased distribution of mosquito nets and intermittent awareness campaigns, these efforts have not been sufficient to bring about a significant reduction in malaria prevalence.

One of the main obstacles to Nigeria’s malaria elimination efforts is inadequate funding. Malaria control programs in Nigeria are largely donor-funded, with the government contributing only a fraction of the resources needed to tackle the problem effectively. This reliance on external funding creates a situation where malaria control efforts can be inconsistent and may falter if donor support wanes.

Nigeria’s inability to significantly reduce malaria transmission poses a risk not only to its own population but also to neighboring countries. As the most populous nation in Africa, with extensive cross-border movement, Nigeria’s malaria burden can hinder regional efforts to eliminate the disease. Neighboring countries may experience reintroduction of malaria cases, complicating their elimination efforts.

The WHO emphasizes that for Africa to make substantial progress in the fight against malaria, countries like Nigeria must prioritize the disease in their public health agendas. This includes increasing domestic funding for malaria control, scaling up access to preventive measures such as ITNs and IRS, and ensuring that health systems can deliver timely and effective treatment.

Global Malaria Efforts: Still a Long Road Ahead

While Egypt’s malaria-free certification is a cause for celebration, the global fight against malaria is far from over. According to WHO’s latest reports, there were approximately 247 million malaria cases and 619,000 related deaths worldwide in 2021, with sub-Saharan Africa bearing the highest burden.

The global community has committed to eliminating malaria as a public health threat by 2030. However, achieving this target will be difficult if high-burden countries like Nigeria do not make substantial progress.

Efforts to eliminate malaria globally are complicated by issues such as insecticide resistance, drug resistance, and the socio-economic challenges faced by affected countries. Consequently, while progress is being made, the road to global malaria eradication remains long and complex.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE has filed a legal suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to invalidate import licenses granted to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Matrix Petroleum Services Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, and four other companies.

The refinery argues that these licenses, which allow the importation of refined petroleum products, are unnecessary since Dangote Refinery is already producing sufficient quantities to meet Nigeria’s demand. Additionally, Dangote is demanding N100 billion in damages from the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for allegedly issuing import licenses in contravention of regulations that stipulate imports should only be allowed when there is a shortfall in local supply.

The lawsuit, marked as suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1324/2024, alleges that NMDPRA has breached Sections 317(8) and (9) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) by issuing import permits for products such as Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and Jet Fuel, which the Dangote Refinery claims to produce in quantities exceeding Nigeria’s daily consumption needs. The refinery asserts that the issuance of these licenses undermines local refining efforts and cripples its business by reducing demand for its products.

According to an affidavit from Ahmed Hashem, Dangote Refinery’s Group General Manager of Government and Strategic Relations, the facility has invested billions of dollars in refining capacity, only to face reduced patronage due to these allegedly unjustified imports.

The plaintiff’s legal team also contends that NMDPRA is neglecting its statutory duty to promote the interests of local refineries, such as Dangote’s, in favor of other entities, including major international oil companies and domestic marketers, which continue to import refined products. Furthermore, Dangote Refinery claims that NMDPRA has sought to impose financial levies on transactions within Free Zones, including a 0.5% levy on wholesales and an additional 0.5% levy for the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF), actions which the plaintiff argues are inconsistent with Free Zone regulations.

The refinery’s legal representatives are seeking several declarations and orders from the court. Among these, Dangote is requesting an injunction to prevent NMDPRA from issuing or renewing import licenses for petroleum products to the other companies involved in the case. The refinery also wants the court to mandate the withdrawal of all import licenses issued to these companies and others for importing refined petroleum products, contending that such licenses should be exclusive to local producers when domestic capacity meets or exceeds market requirements.

In addition to demanding the withdrawal of import licenses, Dangote seeks to halt the collection of any levies by NMDPRA that apply to the Free Zone, citing the Nigerian Export Processing Zone Act (NEPZA) and the Companies Income Tax Act as grounds for the refinery’s exemption from federal and state taxes and levies. The refinery argues that the imposition of levies contravenes legislative intent and jeopardizes the Free Zone’s goals of fostering competition and attracting foreign investment.

Claims of Conspiracy and Market Manipulation

Dangote Refinery’s court filing also alludes to a “grand conspiracy” orchestrated by international oil companies, regulatory authorities, and other vested interests that allegedly aim to suppress the refinery’s potential to alleviate Nigeria’s persistent energy challenges. The refinery claims this opposition is partly driven by discontent over the emergence of a local, privately owned refinery capable of solving the country’s fuel import dependency and boosting the economy. The refinery asserts that the alleged collusion is detrimental not only to its business interests but also to Nigeria’s broader economic aspirations, as the country remains heavily reliant on fuel imports despite possessing local refining capacity.

Settlement Talks in Court

During the court session, Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned the case until January 20, 2025, after the plaintiff’s counsel, George Ibrahim SAN, disclosed that the parties involved were exploring the possibility of settling the dispute outside court. Ibrahim indicated that discussions had commenced between Dangote Refinery and the defendants following an attempt to serve the originating summons. The next court session is expected to provide updates on whether the matter will be settled amicably or continue to litigation.

Background to The Ongoing Dispute

This lawsuit is the latest development in a series of confrontations between Dangote Refinery and regulatory authorities over Nigeria’s petroleum market dynamics. Recently, Africa’s wealthiest man, Aliko Dangote, expressed frustration with regulatory challenges and hinted at selling the refinery to the state-owned NNPCL, a move that many interpreted as a response to escalating tensions and disputes over compliance and market practices.

The refinery has previously voiced concerns about the importation of substandard fuel products by other companies, arguing that such practices undermine local refining efforts and expose consumers to quality risks. Earlier, the federal government announced that marketers are now permitted to source petroleum products directly from the Dangote Refinery, following NNPCL’s withdrawal from its intermediary role, signaling attempts to balance market interests and resolve ongoing disputes.

What This Means for Nigeria’s Energy Sector

The lawsuit highlights longstanding issues in Nigeria’s energy sector, particularly regarding the regulation and promotion of local refining capacity. While Nigeria is Africa’s largest crude oil producer, its dependence on imported refined petroleum products has persisted for decades, primarily due to inadequate local refining infrastructure.

Thus, Dangote Refinery, with its large-scale investment in refining and petrochemicals, was seen as a potential game-changer that could significantly reduce the country’s reliance on imports. However, regulatory disputes and unexpected market conflicts have posed substantial hurdles.

Energy experts believe that the case has broader implications for Nigeria’s energy policies under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which was enacted to reform the sector by encouraging private investment in local refining while also ensuring fair market competition. According to them, the outcome of this legal battle could influence future decisions regarding import licensing, local content policies, and the role of private players in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum market.

However, a large section of observers believe that this lawsuit by Dangote Refinery is part of the group’s attempt to monopolize the oil sector as it has done in the many other sectors in which it operates.

Editor’s Note: This has been debunked