On September 9, 2025, Nairobi hosted a strategic meeting to introduce new spatial repellents. The initiative, led by the American multinational SC Johnson, a company specialized in pest control products, brought together a wide range of stakeholders: African parliamentarians, experts from Ministries of Health and National Malaria Control Programs, representatives of NGOs and civil society, and private sector partners.
The Coalition of Parliamentarians to End Malaria in Africa (COPEMA) was represented by Hon. Dr. Mark Nawaane (Ghana) and Hon. Santa Okot (Uganda). Their participation highlighted that the fight against malaria is not only a technical matter, but it also requires continuous political will.
The new repellent presented was validated by the WHO in August 2025, which recommended its use as a complement to long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs). Locally manufactured in Kenya since January 2025, it provides continuous protection against mosquitoes for an entire year. With an annual production capacity of 20 million units, its potential is significant. Already piloted in Rwanda, it has reduced malaria cases by more than 50% in certain districts through a community distribution approach.
Beyond technological innovation, the discussions also emphasized political challenges. The panel dedicated to the role of parliamentarians stressed that integrating such innovations into national guidelines requires more than technical validation: it will demand sustainable financing, stronger cross-border cooperation, and bold political choices. COPEMA parliamentarians insisted that despite progress, malaria remains a threat. Adopting new tools such as spatial repellents, in addition to existing effective tools like bed nets, represents an opportunity to accelerate progress.
The recommendations from this meeting emphasized three priorities:
– Strengthening regional collaboration among parliamentarians,
– Increasing community awareness,
– Further engaging the private sector to ensure equitable access to new products.
Cross-cutting issues such as waste management, logistical adaptability, and sustainability of initiatives were also highlighted. The private sector, for its part, reaffirmed its commitment to support regulatory approval processes and to assist national programs in building a more integrated malaria response in Africa.
