Malaria remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, claiming hundreds of thousands of young lives each year, most of them children under five in Sub-Saharan Africa. The arrival of effective malaria vaccines marks one of the most important public health breakthroughs of our generation. For the first time, countries now have a powerful new tool that can dramatically reduce severe illness and deaths, giving millions of children a better chance to grow up healthy and safe.

Yet a breakthrough is only meaningful when the vaccine is affordable and available to the children who need it most. In 2025, IFFIm played a key role in making that possible.

In November, Gavi and UNICEF announced an equitable pricing agreement with the manufacturer of the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine – an agreement made possible through a novel financing transaction executed by IFFIm specifically to support this initiative.

IFFIm is proud to have played a central role in making this achievement possible. By providing Gavi with early, predictable financing, IFFIm enabled Gavi to negotiate favourable terms that directly reduced the vaccine’s price to US$ 2.99 per dose. This approach, linking innovative finance to a concrete price reduction, showcases the power of partnership, creativity and flexibility in global health financing.

More children reached, faster

For countries bearing the highest burden of malaria, affordability is the key that unlocks access. Lower prices mean earlier introductions, faster scaleup, and greater long-term sustainability. By shaping the market and stabilising demand, IFFIm’s financing also strengthens the vaccine pipeline, giving manufacturers confidence to expand production and ensure consistent supply.

The impact is significant: the reduced price is expected to save Gavi approximately US$ 90 million through 2030 and will allow countries to reach nearly seven million additional children with malaria vaccination by the end of the decade.

A new chapter in IFFIm’s longstanding support for malaria control

To date, IFFIm has contributed nearly US$ 92 million toward malaria vaccines alone, accounting for 25% of Gavi’s expenditures on these programmes, which is helping to accelerate availability across 17 Gavi-supported countries.

This latest achievement demonstrates the unique value of IFFIm’s model: the ability to mobilise resources quickly and strategically to reduce prices, expand access, and maximise donor impact.

The 2025 malaria vaccine pricing agreement is a powerful example of what innovative finance can accomplish.

“IFFIm exists to turn ambition into action. This agreement shows how its flexible and efficient approach can unlock new financing opportunities to support global health. By enabling Gavi to move quickly, we’re not just funding vaccines – we’re helping fight malaria and create a future where every child has a fair chance to survive and thrive,” said Ken Lay, Former Chair and current Member of the Board of Directors, IFFIm.

Global health finance delivering real-world impact

The 2025 malaria vaccine pricing agreement is a powerful example of what innovative finance can accomplish. By transforming long-term sovereign pledges into immediate resources, IFFIm empowers global partners to shape markets, negotiate better terms, and reach more children – faster and more cost-effectively than traditional financing alone.

A lifesaving vaccine made more affordable and accessible to millions: this is the impact of partnership, innovation, and the continued trust of IFFIm’s donor governments