Neftaly: Coordinating and Engaging E8 Member States to Achieve Regional Malaria Elimination

Introduction

The fight against malaria does not stop at national borders. As part of our unwavering commitment to a malaria-free Southern Africa, Neftaly (South African Youth Project) is proud to play a pivotal role in coordinating and engaging the Elimination Eight (E8) member states and key stakeholders to accelerate the achievement of regional malaria elimination targets.

The E8 Initiative

The E8 is a coalition of eight Southern African countries—Botswana, Eswatini, Namibia, South Africa, Angola, Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe—working together to eliminate malaria by strengthening cross-border collaboration, sharing data and resources, and implementing coordinated interventions.

While national successes are important, regional coordination is critical to avoid cross-border reintroduction and to build a united front against malaria.

Neftaly’s Role in Regional Coordination and Engagement

As a youth-led, action-oriented organization, Neftaly brings unique value to the E8 landscape by focusing on community engagement, capacity building, and stakeholder alignment. Our role includes:

1. Facilitating Cross-Border Collaboration

Neftaly serves as a neutral convener among E8 countries, facilitating dialogue and alignment through:

• Joint planning workshops
• Bi-lateral and multi-lateral strategy meetings
• Data-sharing platforms and policy harmonization forums

2. Strengthening Stakeholder Engagement

We mobilize and connect a wide range of stakeholders including:

• National malaria control programs (NMCPs)
• Civil society organizations
• Youth networks and community health workers
• Research institutions and private sector partners

Neftaly creates inclusive spaces for shared decision-making, ensuring that local voices, especially youth, are heard in regional planning processes.

3. Empowering Youth for Regional Impact

We coordinate youth-led malaria initiatives across the E8 region by:

• Training cross-border youth ambassadors
• Supporting regional youth exchanges and leadership programs
• Promoting digital advocacy campaigns that span across borders

By empowering young leaders with knowledge and tools, we amplify their voices as regional champions for elimination.

4. Driving Regional Communication and Advocacy

Neftaly supports coordinated messaging and public engagement by:

• Developing unified regional campaigns on malaria prevention and treatment
• Creating multilingual communication materials tailored to various communities
• Advocating for sustained political will and regional funding commitments

5. Monitoring and Accountability

We assist in tracking progress toward elimination by:

• Supporting the development of regional dashboards and reporting tools
• Conducting community-level monitoring and feedback collection
• Advocating for transparent and accountable implementation of elimination strategies

Outcomes and Progress

Through Neftaly’s coordination and engagement efforts, we have seen:

• Improved synchronization of IRS and ITN campaigns across borders
• Greater youth participation in E8 strategy execution
• Increased stakeholder alignment on elimination goals
• Stronger accountability mechanisms at regional and national levels

Looking Ahead: Sustaining Regional Momentum

Neftaly remains committed to supporting the E8 in:

• Achieving zero local transmission in all member states
• Preventing cross-border reintroduction
• Building resilient health systems that can sustain elimination

By bridging national efforts and strengthening regional solidarity, Neftaly is helping to turn the vision of a malaria-free Southern Africa into a reality.

Conclusion

Malaria elimination is not just a health goal—it is a regional development imperative. Neftaly’s coordination and engagement efforts across the E8 are unlocking new levels of collaboration, innovation, and impact. Together with our partners, we are proving that elimination is not only possible—it is within reach.