From 21 April to 27 April, the Multilateral Initiative on Malaria (MIM) Society hosted its 8th Pan-African Malaria Conference in Kigali, Rwanda. This conference convened experts and advocates globally to discuss the latest developments and challenges in the fight against malaria. 

Fatoumatta Bojang, a higher Scientific Officer from the MRC Unit The Gambia, PhD students, Leen Vanheer, and Jonna Mosoff attended the MIM conference, supported by LSHTM's Malaria Centre Early Career Research Fund, to share insights and research findings and engage with fellow experts in the field. 

Conference attendees participated in a wide array of sessions, symposia, and poster presentations, focusing on the theme “grassroots mobilization to end malaria: invest, innovate and integrate.” Discussions ranged from the efficacy of the RH5 vaccine to the urgency of addressing artemisinin drug resistance, highlighting both progress and ongoing challenges in malaria research and control. 

Leen shared insights from a phase 2 trial in Mali evaluating different antimalarial combinations for transmission-blocking efficacy. Leen’s poster presentation, comparing the transmission-blocking activity of fifteen antimalarials across six trials, was an example of the high-quality research that was showcased at the conference. 

Reflecting on her experience, Leen expressed gratitude for the opportunity to present findings from her research, forge new collaborations and network with fellow researchers from Uganda and the Netherlands. 

“The conference served as a platform to meet collaborators and it was the first time I had an in-person talk at an international conference. It was a nice surprise to win one of the best poster awards. I feel inspired going back to my research and thesis writing, and I am grateful to have been able to attend.” 

Similarly, Fatoumatta emphasised the profound personal and professional enrichment gained from engaging with experts saying, “Attending this conference has broadened my research perspectives, particularly in integrating field-applicable technologies into laboratory studies. 

“The feedback I received and new connections have set the stage for potential collaborations that could significantly enhance the applicability of our findings.” 

Jonna highlighted the conference's unique ability to highlight research from across the African continent, offering insights into diverse contexts and approaches to malaria control.  

Reflecting on the conference, Jonna said, “The opportunity to attend MIM and have conversations with global researchers across different disciplines was invaluable, and the experience will undoubtedly improve my current and future research.” She added that attendees, from lab scientists to program managers, were able to learn from each other's experiences and strategies, emphasizing the collective effort needed to combat malaria effectively. 

Jonna presented a poster on the initial stages of the first objective of her PhD, a narrative review of the social determinants of malaria chemoprevention in children in sub-Saharan Africa. 

While challenges in tackling malaria remain, the 8th Pan-African Malaria Conference organized by the MIM Society in Kigali served as a beacon of hope and inspiration for the global malaria community.