In the article, journalist Lynne Smit highlights the impact of these technologies on regional policy and health systems. Developed through a cross-border collaboration led by the MARC SE-Africa, these tools are empowering national malaria control programmes, regional intergovernmental bodies (including the East African Community, Southern African Development Community, and Elimination Eight Initiative), and global partners like Roll Back Malaria Partnership to End Malaria, to respond more effectively to the growing threat of antimalarial resistance.
The MARC SE-Africa Dashboard provides real-time data on resistance trends, treatment efficacy, and molecular markers, while MOXIE-BOT (the project’s multilingual AI-powered chatbot) offers instant access to more than 230 malaria-related resources, including WHO protocols, genome surveillance tools, and diagnostic guidelines.
These platforms have played a central role in the development of:
- national situation analyses on antimicrobial resistance (e.g., Uganda and Angola)
- the EAC regional report and detailed action plan on emerging antimalarial resistance
- the forthcoming SADC regional report and action plan
- resistance country profiles for 18 endemic countries in Southern and Eastern Africa
This achievement showcases the power of regional collaboration and data-driven innovation to drive evidence-based action in the fight against malaria.
Their inclusion in Nature Africa highlights how digital innovation, grounded in African leadership and regional collaboration, is being recognised on a global stage. It is especially meaningful that this recognition comes from one of the world’s leading scientific publications thereby affirming the value and impact of African-led responses to one of the most urgent health challenges facing the continent today.
Read the feature: Nature Africa Research Highlight
About MARC SE-Africa
MARC SE-Africa is a 48-month project funded by the Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking (GH EDCTP3 JU) that builds on the first and second European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) programmes. This new joint undertaking is a partnership between the EU and the EDCTP Association, whose members are several European and African countries. EDCTP is now a focal point for European research activities, promoting coordinated action to maximise impact on poverty-related infectious diseases.
Learn more about MARC SE-Africa on the project website: www.marcse-africa.org