Jim Swartz – Chairman and Managing Director, Chevron Nigeria and Mid-Africa region
By Samuel Ogude
Malaria, a mosquito-borne disease that has claimed millions of lives across the world, especially in Africa, continues to pose a major public health challenge despite years of interventions by governments, health institutions and global organizations including the World Health Organization.
As part of efforts to sustain global awareness and strengthen the fight against the disease, April 25 is annually marked as World Malaria Day to emphasize the need for continued investment in malaria prevention and control programmes. Joining the rest of the world to commemorate this year’s World Malaria Day, Chevron Nigeria Limited reaffirmed its commitment to defeating malaria across Africa, insisting that collective action remains critical to ending the scourge.
According to the company, defeating malaria requires sustained partnerships and urgent action, especially with this year’s theme, “Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must.” The organization stated that it has continued to work alongside governments, global health institutions and community partners across Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon to strengthen prevention, treatment and health systems, contributing to significant progress in malaria control and broader disease resilience.
Chevron Nigeria Limited noted that despite global efforts, malaria remains a major concern. Citing the latest World Malaria Report, the company said there were 282 million malaria cases in 2024, representing an increase of about nine million cases compared to 2023, while estimated deaths rose to 610,000 in 2024 from 598,000 in 2023. It added that the WHO African Region still carries a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. The company said: “At Chevron, we believe that enabling progress means investing in the health and well-being of the communities where we operate. Our partnerships help to improve health outcomes and create stronger, more resilient communities.”
Chevron explained that in Nigeria, it has continued to support initiatives aimed at strengthening malaria prevention and improving healthcare awareness through health education programmes and community sensitization campaigns in its operational areas. According to the organization, it has also supported national malaria and public health interventions through strategic partnerships focused on prevention, education and health system strengthening. It said collaborations with the Global Fund, PATH and the Corporate Alliance for Malaria in Africa have contributed to building resilient health systems in Nigeria and supporting the National Malaria Elimination Programme.
The company disclosed that it has supported the distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets, health worker training, peer health educators, disease surveillance and public awareness initiatives aimed at reducing malaria risks and improving early diagnosis and treatment. Chevron further assured that it would continue to partner governments and institutions in addressing health challenges across Africa, stressing that its interventions have continued to record successes.
In Equatorial Guinea, the company said it remains actively involved in malaria elimination efforts through support for the Bioko Island Malaria Elimination Project (BIMEP), a public-private partnership led by the Government of Equatorial Guinea and supported by international energy and health partners. According to Chevron, one of the key objectives of the project is to contribute strategically to the development of Equatorial Guinea by improving the health and well-being of its citizens.
The organization stated: “With BIMEP, Chevron addresses the imperative for collective action to achieve the 2030 targets of the World Health Organization. BIMEP was recognized in 2023 for its 20 years of impact and, in 2025, named Project of the Year at Africa Energy Week. “The initiative has been renewed in recent years to expand beyond Bioko Island and support the country’s broader malaria elimination ambitions.”
Chevron also highlighted its support for malaria prevention and healthcare strengthening initiatives in Cameroon and across the wider African region through partnerships with the Global Fund and other institutions focused on reducing malaria burden and improving access to lifesaving interventions. Speaking on the company’s efforts, Brent Gros, President of Chevron Offshore Business Unit, said malaria remains a major public health challenge in some of the company’s operational areas in Africa.
According to him, “Our approach is rooted in long-term partnerships that strengthen local capacity, support government-led health strategies, and deliver lasting impact for families and communities.” He added that the company’s interventions align with Chevron’s broader partnership strategy focused on health, education and economic development to drive sustainable progress across Africa.
Also speaking, Jim Swartz, Chairman and Managing Director, Chevron Nigeria and Mid-Africa Region, described the partnership between Chevron and the Global Fund as a strategic contribution to Nigeria’s development through improved healthcare delivery. He stated that Chevron remains one of the largest corporate partners of the Global Fund, with interventions focusing on capacity development initiatives, advocacy campaigns and local healthcare programmes.
On his part, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus underscored the urgency of sustaining the global fight against malaria. His words: “We have the knowledge, lifesaving tools and proven strategies to end malaria. But progress has stalled, and decades of hard-won gains are in jeopardy. Malaria continues to claim a life every minute, with most deaths occurring in the World Health Organization African Region.
“The choice is ours: act now or risk losing ground. Ending malaria is not just a health imperative; it is an investment in a more equitable, safer and more prosperous future for every nation.” Stakeholders have continued to stress that if the world must successfully eliminate malaria, governments, private organizations, health institutions and individuals must work collectively to sustain the fight against the disease.