The alarming trend that severely challenges Ethiopia’s years of health protection efforts and public health security has cast a shadow over the effectiveness of nationwide antimalarial drugs. Although significant successes have been achieved in controlling malaria over the past two decades, a new study indicates that recent increases in cases and the changing profile of the disease are deeply concerning.

To protect society from severe danger and preserve hard-won gains, gaining a deep understanding of how malaria parasites are evolving over time and developing drug resistance has become an urgent priority of our time.

Researchers from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and their partners have released their final findings after analyzing 605 Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasite samples collected from 15 districts across Ethiopia.
Published in the prestigious journal Nature Microbiology, the study confirmed that the parasites are showing genetic changes that indicate partial resistance to various antimalarial medicines, including artemisinin.
Although artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) still serve as the primary first-line treatment, the spread of these genetic changes poses a major threat to future treatment effectiveness.

One of the study’s major findings relates to the interaction between the two primary malaria parasite species in Ethiopia. Although chloroquine is no longer used for P. falciparum treatment, it is still recommended for Plasmodium vivax, the other malaria species. The researchers noted that the continued use of chloroquine against P. vivax may be helping drug-resistant P. falciparum parasites survive and multiply in areas where both species co-circulate.

Furthermore, the researchers indicated that various drug-resistance markers frequently co-occurred within the same parasite. These markers were not evenly distributed across the country, appearing more widely in areas with lower malaria transmission and a higher prevalence of P. vivax.

The study’s experts emphasize that health authorities must strengthen genomic surveillance systems, detect emerging threats early, and shape evidence-based treatment policies to preserve the effectiveness of existing medicines.

African governments, exporters and business leaders are preparing for a potential shift in the continent’s trade relations as the temporary extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) approaches expiration in December 2026.

The development comes as African economies navigate changes in global trade, expanding digital markets, new offshore energy discoveries, critical-minerals diplomacy and rapid urbanization.

The implications of AGOA’s expiry are expected to be discussed at the Financial Times’ 13th annual Africa Summit, scheduled for October 21–22, 2026, at The Landmark in London.

The summit will be held under the theme “Mobilising Growth in a New Global Order” and will bring together African heads of state, government officials, investors, corporate executives and entrepreneurs.

AGOA provides eligible sub-Saharan African countries with preferential access to the United States market for thousands of products. Its possible expiration has increased pressure on African countries to diversify export markets, strengthen regional trade and reduce dependence on preferential arrangements.

The summit is expected to examine how governments and businesses can respond to shifting US tariff policies and changes in longstanding trade relationships.

Among the speakers scheduled to attend are Dangote Group President Aliko Dangote, former Senegalese President Macky Sall, former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, United Kingdom Minister of State for International Development and Africa Baroness Jennifer Chapman, Nigerian Minister of Finance Taiwo Oyedele and Ethiopian Minister of Finance Ahmed Shide.

The agenda will focus on geopolitics, cross-border finance, energy transition, infrastructure development, technology and investment.

A new economic assessment recommends that Djibouti implement tighter debt controls, strengthen state-owned enterprises (SOEs), and improve domestic revenue collection to sustain its infrastructure-led growth.

The Investment Bank of Africa (IBA) describes Djibouti as a strategically vital gateway for Red Sea trade and commerce linked to Ethiopia. However, the bank warns that years of significant infrastructure investment have increased the nation’s debt exposure and reduced the government’s fiscal flexibility.

Public debt reached approximately 64 percent of GDP in 2025, according to the assessment. Citing IMF projections, the report indicates that the debt ratio is expected to decrease from 67.2 percent in 2025 to 62.3 percent in 2026, and further to 38.5 percent by 2030.

Despite this projected improvement, debt sustainability remains a primary concern. The report notes that both the IMF and the African Development Bank have called for ongoing debt reduction, SOE reform, and engagement with creditors.

IBA suggests broadening Djibouti’s domestic revenue base by standardizing tax exemptions and enhancing VAT collection. It also recommends allocating additional revenues towards debt servicing and essential social infrastructure.

State-owned enterprises are another significant concern. The report advises implementing enforceable dividend policies, strengthening financial disclosure, and setting debt ceilings for profitable strategic SOEs. Weaker enterprises, conversely, should undergo balance-sheet restructuring.

The government is also urged to align fiscal consolidation efforts with initiatives to rebuild foreign-exchange reserves and limit quasi-fiscal liabilities.

Reducing electricity costs is identified as another priority. The assessment recommends increased reliance on renewable-energy independent power producers, reduced system losses, and stronger payment discipline from public institutions.

The report also cautions Djibouti against pursuing infrastructure projects without clear economic and financial returns. It advocates for greater use of public-private partnerships, blended finance, development-finance guarantees, and project-based financing, particularly for water, renewable energy, logistics, and digital infrastructure.

Potential investment needs are estimated at approximately $2.5 billion for logistics corridors, $1.8 billion for renewable energy, and $1.2 billion for water infrastructure. However, the report emphasizes that these are preliminary estimates requiring detailed project-level due diligence.

Despite the debt risks, the assessment assigns Djibouti a BBB investment rating with a positive outlook, citing its strategic location and role in regional trade as key advantages.

It recommends focusing future investment on transport and logistics, renewable energy, water resilience, digital infrastructure, and structured trade finance.

The central challenge for Djibouti, the report suggests, is no longer merely attracting more capital, but ensuring that new investment does not replicate the debt pressures generated by previous infrastructure expansion.

The assessment calls for stronger debt-sustainability safeguards, tighter SOE discipline, adequate foreign-exchange reserves, environmental and social safeguards, and contingency plans for maritime disruptions.