Southern Africa Research Articles

Examining geospatial and temporal distribution of invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella disease occurrence in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and modelling study

BackgroundInvasive non-typhoidal Salmonella (iNTS) disease is a significant health concern in sub-Saharan Africa. While our knowledge of a larger-scale variation is growing, understanding of the subnational variation in iNTS disease...

Hysteresis in Youth Unemployment in Sub-Saharan Africa: Focus on Gender, Income, and Region

ABSTRACT: Despite innumerable government policies to reduce youth unemployment in Sub-Saharan Africa, the problem persists. This study examines the extent to which the hysteresis effect exists in the youth unemployment rate in Sub-Saharan African countries during the period 1991 to 2021, disaggregated according to territorial delineation, income, and gender. First, we employ the univariate and panel unit root tests including the Augmented-Dickey-Fuller, Phillips-Perron, the Dickey-Fuller-Generalized Least Square by Elliott, Rothenberg, and Stock (1996), the ADFmax by Leybourne (1995), and the Kwiatkowski, et al. (1992) test, to enable comparison with previous studies. The Pesaran's (2007), test is then applied to account for cross-sectional dependence. Finally, the Zivot–Andrews single structural break by Zivot and Andrews (1992), Clemente–Montane–Reyes two structural breaks unit root tests by Clemente, Montañés, and Reyes (1998), as well as the Karavias-Tzavalis panel unit root test with structural breaks by Karavias and Tzavalis (2014) are employed. The univariate unit root tests generally support the hysteresis hypothesis (within a band of 60% to 97%) for almost all countries, and sub-regions in SSA. However, accounting for structural breaks, the hysteresis effect in total youth unemployment is only visible in 19 countries (40%), with evidence of gender disparities pointing to the hysteresis effect in females only in 16 countries (34%), and, in males only in 10 countries (21.3%). The lower-middle-income countries reject the natural rate hypothesis in total and both male and female youth unemployment rates. While only male youths suffer from the hysteresis in low-income countries, the total youth in upper-middle-income countries shares this effect. Accounting for cross-section dependence alters the finding of the hysteresis effect only in males in Southern Africa and upper-middle-income countries. A one-size-fits-all policy may not work. Instead, we recommend an integral approach aimed at the creation of employment opportunities for youth and females, including but not limited to diversification of economic activities in rural areas to reduce urbanization, skills training, political and economic stability, cultural transformation to remove unnecessary gender-related employment discrimination, as well as improved economic integration policies. For countries found to exhibit the natural rate hypothesis, it may not be necessary to engage in costly policies to return the youth unemployment rate to equilibrium since the shock is only temporary.

A duplication of marriages? An ethnographic account and assessment of the necessity for both traditional and Christian marriages for African Christians

This article is based on ethnographic research for a doctoral study that was conducted in 2016 among the Ndau people of Chimanimani, Zimbabwe. The article described and assessed the practice of some African Christian churches, especially missionary founded churches, to conduct ‘white church weddings’ after getting married customarily. The study employs a postcolonial approach as a theoretical lens. It argues for a hybridized form of Christian marriage that takes into cognizance the validity of African customary marriages in and for themselves, while at the same time appreciating the importance ascribed to ‘church weddings’ in especially missionary-founded churches. The study uses the case study of the Ndau people, but the phenomenon is widely practised among African Christians across the continent. In the article, doctoral thesis findings were related with Erlank’s (2014) work on marriages in South Africa. The article offered description, critique (postcolonial, gender, class), and suggested interventions. Critical phenomenology was utilized to assess the findings and to expose the power relations that exist in the hierarchical treatment of African customary marriages as of an inferior status compared to church weddings. The economic aspect of the duplication of marriages was also foregrounded. The article underscores the importance of ethnographic research on religion as a human phenomenon in Southern Africa and beyond, as well as a critical assessment of the phenomenon. It provided several possible interventions for African missionary-founded churches.

Seasonal Variation in Foliar Mite Diversity and Abundance in Leaf Domatia of Three Native South African Forest Species

Mite communities inhabiting plants are known to be affected by several environmental factors, including temperature and humidity. This pilot study aimed to assess seasonal variation in mite abundance and species richness in three Southern African woody species: Gardenia thunbergia, Rothmannia globosa (both Rubiaceae), and Tecomaria capensis (Bignoniaceae). Furthermore, we investigated the influence of rainfall, maximum and minimum temperature, and relative humidity on mite abundance and species richness. The study was conducted in 2014–2015 in Makhanda, formerly known as Grahamstown, in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Twenty mature leaves were collected from all aspects of the plant fortnightly over 34 weeks. Following sampling, the leaves were viewed under a dissecting microscope, and mites were collected from inside the domatia and surrounding leaf surface area. Species diversity and abundance were calculated for each season and compared. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed in R Studio to test relationships between species richness and abundance, minimum and maximum daily temperatures, relative humidity, rainfall the day before, and accumulative rainfall over the preceding two-week period. We found that mites were present in the leaves of the sampled plants across all seasons, but that mite abundance and species richness changed with each season. None of the environmental variables were correlated with mite abundance, and only relative humidity influenced species richness. These results were not consistent across the three plant species studied, and we point to weaknesses in our sampling approach for the observed results. This pilot study, one of the first from southern Africa, provides a window into the complex interactions between plants and mites. We advocate for more studies on mite seasonality to better understand if it is specific to a region, vegetation type, or host species.

Utilisation of indigenous knowledge to control gastrointestinal nematodes in Southern Africa

Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) exacerbate the impact of droughts on the survival of cattle. The inadequacies of the conventional system make it increasingly important to explore indigenous knowledge (IK) to create drought-tolerant and GIN resilient herds. The objective of the study was to assess the indigenous strategies for controlling GIN during droughts. Face-to-face interviews with experts on IK were conducted to give insight into the importance, methods and ranking of GIN control. The experts identified 86 cattle that were used to test their assertions. The control methods used were identifying cattle that were susceptible to high GIN loads using predisposing factors, diagnosis of GIN burdens using faecal appearance, and treatment using phytotherapy. Experts ranked predisposing factors as the most critical control strategy and identified body condition, class, sex, coat colour, pregnancy status and lactation status as predisposing factors to high GIN burdens. Thin, older, dark-coloured cattle, as well as pregnant and lactating cows, were considered susceptible to GIN. However, pregnancy status, coat colour and sex were significantly associated with high GIN burdens. Cows were 2.6 times more likely to have high GIN burdens than bulls. Dark-coloured cattle were 3.5 times more likely to have high GIN burdens than light-coloured ones, and the likelihood of pregnant cows was 4.9 times higher than non-pregnant cows. A dark-coloured pregnant cow was extremely susceptible to high GIN burdens. In conclusion, knowledge of predisposing factors informs selection decisions when purchasing foundation stock. Cattle that are susceptible to high GIN loads are prioritised during droughts or culled where resources are scarce.

309 (PB-125) Poster - Cryoablation in Breast Cancer Care – an analysis from a Single Multi-Disciplinary Unit in Southern Africa

309 (PB-125) Poster - Cryoablation in Breast Cancer Care – an analysis from a Single Multi-Disciplinary Unit in Southern Africa

Geomagnetic jerks observed in geomagnetic observatory data over southern Africa between 2017 and 2023

Abstract Geomagnetic jerks are jumps observed in the second derivative of the main magnetic field that occur on annual to decadal timescales. Understanding these jerks is crucial as they provide valuable insights into the complex dynamics of the Earth’s outer liquid core. In this study, we investigate the occurrence of geomagnetic jerks in geomagnetic observatory data collected at southern African magnetic observatories, Hermanus (HER), Tsumeb (TSU), Hartebeesthoek (HBK) and Keetmanshoop (KMH) between 2017 and 2023. The observatory data was processed and analysed by retaining quiet night-time data recorded during quiet geomagnetic activities with the help of planetary K (Kp), Disturbance storm time (Dst) and ring current (RC) indices. Results confirm the occurrence of 2019 to 2020 geomagnetic jerk in the region, and identify the recent 2021 jerk detected with V-shaped secular variation changes in X and Z components at all four observatories. The highest estimated 2021 jerk secular acceleration amplitudes in X and Z components were found at HBK, 12.7 nT/year2 and 19.1 nT/year2, respectively. Notably, the global CHAOS-7 model aptly identifies this 2021 jerk in the Z component at all magnetic observatories in the region.

Trends in Anthropometric Measurements of Internationally Adopted Children.

The objective of this study was to describe anthropometric measures from internationally adopted children. Internationally adopted children are at risk for poor growth and development and there is no standardized growth chart evaluation for internationally adopted children due to variations in growth, genetics, and environmental exposures. This is a retrospective chart review of 882 patients seen in an international adoption clinic between 2010 and 2017. Anthropometric measurements were converted to Z scores for weight, height, head circumference, and body mass index. A total of 41 countries and 16 subregions were represented. Central America, northern Africa, southern Africa, and southern Europe were the only subregions that had positive mean Z scores for weight, and southeast Asia had the lowest mean Z score for weight (n = 40, -1.76). No subregion had a positive mean Z score for height, and western Asia had the lowest overall mean Z score for height (n = 2, -2.44). Mean Z score for body mass index was positive in several subregions. Growth is an important predictor of health and development, and this study adds to the literature on growth patterns of internationally adopted children.

The potential value of seasonal drought forecasts in the context of climate change: A case study of the African elephant conservation sector

AbstractThis study investigates meteorological drought in sub‐Saharan Africa within the context of elephant conservation. Prolonged drought significantly impacts elephants, leading to increased mortality rates and heightened human–elephant conflicts. We assess both the anticipated 21st century changes in impact‐relevant meteorological drought metrics and the efficacy of existing forecasting systems in predicting such droughts on seasonal time scales. The climate change element of our study uses the 6th Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) ensemble to evaluate projected change in 3‐month Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI3). We then carry out a quantitative assessment of seasonal forecast skill, utilizing 110 years of precipitation hindcasts generated by the European Centre for Medium Range Forecasting (ECMWF) system. Our findings indicate that persistent drought is projected to become more frequent over the 21st century in southern Africa, where the majority of elephants reside. Analysis of seasonal hindcasts indicates that, while the forecasts have greater skill than climatology, they remain highly uncertain. Previous work suggests that it may be possible to reduce this uncertainty by contextualizing forecasts within specific climate regimes. However, even with improved forecast skill, effective action hinges on the alignment of forecasts with the practical needs of conservation practitioners. Over the next decades, a co‐production approach will be critical for leveraging seasonal forecasts for climate change adaptation within the conservation sector.

Prolonged drought periods over the last four decades increase flood intensity in southern Africa

In semi-arid sub-Saharan Africa, climate change and the intensification of human activities have altered the hydrological balance and modified the recurrence of extreme hydroclimatic events, such as droughts and floods. The geomorphological heterogeneity of river catchments across the region, the variable human pressure, and the lack of continuous hydroclimatic data preclude the definition of proper mitigation strategies, with a direct effect on the sustainability of rural communities.Here, for the first time in Africa, we characterize hydrological extreme events using a multidisciplinary approach that includes sedimentary data from dams. We focus on the Limpopo River basin to evaluate which factors control flood magnitude since the 1970. Extreme flood events were identified across the basin in 1988–89, 1995–96, 1999–2000, 2003–04, 2010–11, 2013–14 and 2016–17. The statistical analysis of sedimentary flood records revealed a dramatic increase in their magnitude over the studied period. A positive correlation between maximum river flow and antecedent prolonged drought conditions was found in South Africa and Mozambique. Most importantly, since 1980, we observed the likely decoupling of extreme floods from the magnitude of La Niña events, suggesting that the natural interannual variability driven by El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) has been disrupted by climate changes and human activities.

Advancing HIV cure research in low- and middle-income countries requires empowerment of the next generation of scientists

While low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), especially in Southern and Eastern Africa, bear the largest burden of the HIV globally, investigators working on the front lines in these regions are leading a limited number of research efforts, particularly related to HIV cure. Conducting HIV cure research in high-burden HIV LIMCs provides an unparalleled opportunity to formulate innovative research strategies, design trials tailored to the local context, evaluate clinical outcomes within key and vulnerable populations, meaningful involvement of stakeholders, and to shape policies in areas where HIV prevention and cure interventions can yield the most significant impact. Further, the high prevalence of infection, with varied HIV strains affecting large diverse populations, creates a unique environment for studies that would not be feasible in any other part of the world. This underscores the critical importance of addressing obstacles to unlock the full potential of research efforts in these regions. In this viewpoint, we identify significant challenges facing early career investigators in LMICs, particularly in Africa, that hinder their full engagement in HIV cure research. Drawing examples from the International AIDS Society's Research-for-Cure Academy, we provide practical recommendations to overcome barriers that include limited access to funding, effective mentors, educational and career development opportunities, coupled with inadequate investment in infrastructure that contribute towards the limited number of investigators from high-burden HIV LIMCs who are spearheading cutting-edge cure research. Addressing these challenges is crucial to empower investigators who possess unique insights and expertise, and who are well positioned to lead HIV cure-related research efforts. We acknowledge and welcome initiatives that promote capacity building and knowledge exchange between early-career investigators in LMICs and their peers and scientific leaders from high-income countries (HICs). Prioritizing investment in global collaboration and partnership will play a pivotal role in empowering the next generation of African scientists and clinicians. To expedite advancements of cure-related strategies that will be effective in high-burden HIV LMICs, we endorse the sustainable expansion of these pivotal initiatives in these regions, to enhance their effectiveness and hasten progress in the pursuit of a global HIV cure.

Foreword

I was delighted to open the conference on ‘Violence Against Children’ organized by the Department of Religion Studies, at the Universityof Johannesburg, in partnership with the New Testament Society of Southern Africa (NTSSA). I am extremely pleased that a special issue on the topic has been produced so briskly. Although there is currently much work being done on violence, there is insufficient interdisciplinary and collaborative work on how violence configures the lives of children in Southern African countries. One does not hear of conferences on children or children’s rights as often as one might hear about initiatives on other compelling topics. This coming together of scholars to reflect on the experiences and lived realities of children – and, on the theme of childrenand violence – is exciting and timely. Currently, there are more than 2 billion children in the world, with the highest proportion living in sub-Saharan Africa. By the middle of this century, more than 40 percent of children younger than 5 years will be resident here. It is often pointed out that a child’s life chances are shaped by the place of birth, year of birth, and privileges of the natal familial context – in this regard, class, race, nationality, regionality, and gender are some of the key predictors of a child’s future. Many countries face entrenched inequalities and disparities, thus economic, sociopolitical,cultural, religious, and communal factors often have considerable and defining impacts on a child’s future well-being and success. Interventionsto create equality of opportunities and mitigate inherited disadvantages have been considerable. Despite government and civil society efforts, thesituation of children today remains dire. This is distressing to note for all who work in this field and who acknowledge that a country’s future stability, growth, and development, are inextricably linked to the ways in which this youngest cohort is treated, catered for, inspired, and afforded economic, social, and educational opportunities.

Harmonization of Higher Education for Sustainable Development: Southern Africa Development Community Experiences

The world-over, higher education remains a key determinant for scientific and technological development. Hence, Southern Africa Development Community (SADC)’s higher education institutions are considered crucial social organizations in spreading knowledge, and innovation for sustainable development. This study called for inclusion of the qualitative content analysis in an attempt to explore higher education collaboration or partnerships within SADC. Using the AJOL, Scopus, DHTE, DOAJ, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, 60 articles were purposively selected for this review. These available literature sources are accessible on issues around higher education harmonization for sustainable development in SADC for scrutiny. From the content analysis, harmonization was conceptualized as the collaboration, integration or partnership within regional higher education institutions. The rationale for these collaborations or partnerships was to enhance adherence to the agreed-upon higher education conditions and instruments. These created the framework of standards, to facilitate credit transfer and evaluation within SADC’s higher education institutions. From this content analysis, it can be concluded that the harmonization of higher education systems for sustainable development is seen as a spontaneous process subtle to various intricacies, as it permits individual institutions to enjoy the fruits of regional integration. It is in this context, that the researchers recommend the enunciation of SADC’s higher education harmonization for sustainable development guiding procedures vis-a-vis internationalisation. Therefore, this discussion adds voice to the existing argument on the need for higher education institutions in SADC member states to move towards an integrated higher education system. Keywords: Experiences, Harmonization, Higher Education, Southern Africa Development Community, Sustainable Development

Estimating the Teacher Gap and Funding Requirements for all Education Levels in Eastern and Southern Africa

Background:: The socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19 added to the learning challenges across Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) and significantly increased the resources required to deliver on basic education goals. Objective:: This article makes the case for greater budgetary allocations to the education sector by quantifying the annual funding needs for 20 governments in ESA to achieve different classroom size targets for all levels of education by 2030. Methods:: Building on earlier estimation techniques, it develops a teacher costing and affordability model based on macroeconomic and demographic projections as well as education sector performance indicators from global databases. Results:: To meet goals around education and learning, governments in ESA need to pay for more than five million additional teachers by 2030. When compared to affordability estimates, which reflect the latest teacher compensation spending trends, the funding shortfall is nearly 50 percent. While there is variation across countries, the compounding shortage of teachers is a serious risk to improving learning across the region. Conclusion:: The findings underscore the need to invest more resources in teachers and education systems more generally. If governments can progressively increase their investment in education to reach six percent of GDP in 2030, which is in line with the most ambitious target in the Incheon Declaration, they could recruit an additional three million teachers, which partially closes the gap. However, to achieve basic learning goals, most governments will need to invest much more, including up to eight percent of GDP.

Water and History in Southern Africa

Abstract How has water shaped the history of a region that is bordered by ocean, brimming with ephemeral rivers, and yet prone to drought? This article explores water histories in Southern Africa over the past two hundred years. Using oral traditions, epic poetry, archival sources, and secondary anthropological and archaeological literature, I examine how Africans and Europeans related to, claimed, and used different bodies of water. In the first section I discuss how water was central to isiNguni conceptions of social and political life. In the second section I discuss how European empires used water to enclose and dispossess African land and to build hydropolitical colonial orders over the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. I conclude by reflecting on afterlives of these water histories in the present.

Quantifying the Effect of Soil Ameliorants on Soil Crusting by Means of Field Experiments in a Wildlife Protected Area, South Africa

Soil crusting (surface sealing) is widespread and serious in ecotouristic game parks and reserves in southern Africa, and especially South Africa. In this study, mineral soil crusts were found to be the problem in the Dinokeng Game Reserve (DGR), South Africa. Large areas of bare soil crusted areas were found in this reserve. The cause of this crusting was found to be historical agricultural practices such as cultivation with maize on non-arable soils and overgrazing by cattle. Negative impacts of soil crusting include reduction of water infiltration, leading to increased runoff and erosion and induced drought; inhibiting soil aeration; inhibiting germination and seedling emergence; and inhibiting root functioning and development. In this study in the DGR, a bare crusted area, where cultivation was abandoned 50 years before and there has been no recovery to rangeland since then, was selected for a field trial to determine the effectiveness of the application of various soil ameliorants on soil crust alleviation and improvement of water infiltration rate. The following ameliorants were evaluated: polyacrylamide (PAM) at levels of 5 and 20 kg/ha, gypsum at 2.5 t/ha, and molasses meal at 5 t/ha, as well as combinations of PAM and molasses meal, PAM and gypsum and gypsum and molasses meal. Brush packing, without any ameliorant applied, was also included as treatment, as well as a control with no treatments. PAM treatments increased final infiltration rate (FIR) by between 100–206%. The high efficacy of the lowest PAM treatment is at a cost of only USD 15 per hectare economically important. On the studied soil gypsum application reduced FIR by 81%, while molasses meal had minimal effect. These ameliorants can therefore not be recommended on such soil.

THE DYNAMIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT AND CARBON EMISSIONS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA AND WEST AFRICA REGIONS: THE INTERVENING ROLE OF FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENT

The study compares the regions of West and Southern Africa to assess the effect of foreign direct investment and financial development on carbon emissions. Panel data analysis was used in the study to look at the effects in 10 West African countries and 7 Southern African countries. The study employed dynamic panel data estimation techniques, particularly the panel quantile regression method and the generalised method of moment two-step (GMM) method estimation. These techniques were applied to ascertain the extent of the effects and guarantee a trustworthy inference. The results show that financial development has a positive effect on carbon emissions while foreign direct investment has a negative impact on carbon emissions. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis exists in Southern Africa. Given the evidence showing that increased domestic credit to private entities is associated with higher carbon emissions, the study recommends that both regions consider green policies. KEYWORDS: Foreign direct investment; carbon emissions; Financial development; dynamic panel data GMM estimations; panel quantile regression

Seasonal Chemical Variation and Antidiabetic Activity of Major Compounds in Artemisia afra Infusions

AbstractArtemisia afra Jacq. ex Willd., Asteraceae, is a very popular herbal medicine in Southern Africa and is mainly used in the form of a tea infusion for the treatment of a wide variety of ailments, including diabetes. In this study, the phytochemical variation of four individual A. afra plants, collected monthly for a 1-year period, was determined. Eleven phytochemical compounds present in the infusions were identified and was used to illustrate the seasonal chemical variability. These compounds were also tested for their in vitro antidiabetic activity using the α-glucosidase inhibition bioassay. The results indicated that considerable phytochemical variation existed over a 1-year period within each plant but also between the four plants tested. The main bioactive compounds, namely, 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, showed better α-glucosidase inhibition activity than the positive control, acarbose. Furthermore, these compounds appeared to show an interchangeable transition trend with its monomer, chlorogenic acid, and caffeic acid with the former seemingly increasing during summer and the latter two during the winter months. This study highlights the importance of quality control and standardisation of popular herbal remedies such as A. afra. Graphical Abstract

Comparative Phytochemical Profiling and Biological Activities in the Flowers and Stalks of Tulbaghia violacea

Tulbaghia violacea is indigenous to Southern Africa and has been used extensively in traditional medicine in this region. Extensive research has been documented on the bioactive compounds found in the leaves and roots but not in the flowers and stalks. Thus, this study assessed the phytochemical profile and biological activities in the flowers and stalks of T. violacea. Methanolic and aqueous extracts of the air and freeze-dried T. violacea were screened for phytochemicals, and then antioxidant and antibacterial assays were performed. Phytochemicals such as phenols, tannins, flavonoids, coumarins, and terpenoids are present in either of the tested plant parts. The flowers contain most of the phytochemicals being tested and a higher total phenolic, tannin, and proanthocyanidin content than the stalks. The flowers exhibit the strongest scavenging activity against 2,2-diphenylpicryhydrazyl radicals and metal oxidants. The hydrogen peroxide scavenging activities show that the aqueous flower extracts have a higher radical scavenging activity than stalks. In contrast, the methanolic stalk extracts have a higher antioxidant activity than the flowers. Antibacterial activity is only exhibited in the flowers, showing resistant and intermediate inhibition zones of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus growth, respectively. This study validates the use of T. violacea in traditional medicine, and these results are significant for conserving the species as specific plant parts can be harvested to treat specific ailments. This study suggests the potential application of T. violacea, particularly the flowers and stalks, in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic sectors.

Malaria elimination and the need for intensive inter-country cooperation: a critical evaluation of regional technical co-operation in Southern Africa

BackgroundMalaria elimination requires closely co-ordinated action between neighbouring countries. In Southern Africa several countries have reduced malaria to low levels, but the goal of elimination has eluded them thus far. The Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Malaria Elimination Eight (E8) initiative was established in 2009 between Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe to coordinate malaria interventions aiming to eliminate malaria by 2030. Cross-border coordination is important in malaria elimination settings as it strengthens surveillance, joint planning and implementation, knowledge exchange and optimal use of resources. This paper describes how this collaboration is realized in practice, its achievements and challenges, and its significance for malaria elimination prospects.MethodsThe ministers of health of the E8 countries oversee an intergovernmental technical committee supported by specialist working groups consisting of technical personnel from member countries and partner institutions. These technical working groups are responsible for malaria elimination initiatives in key focus areas such as surveillance, vector control, diagnosis, case management, behaviour change and applied research. The technical working groups have initiated and guided several collaborative projects which lay essential groundwork for malaria elimination.ResultsThe E8 collaboration has yielded achievements in the following key areas. (1) Establishment and evaluation of malaria border health posts to improve malaria services in border areas and reduce malaria among resident and, mobile and migrant populations. (2) The development of a regional malaria microscopy slide bank providing materials for diagnostic training and proficiency testing. (3) A facility for regional external competency assessment and training of malaria microscopy trainers in collaboration with the World Health Organization. (4) Entomology fellowships that improved capacity in entomological surveillance; an indoor residual spraying (IRS) training of trainers’ scheme to enhance the quality of this core intervention in the region. (5) Capacity development for regional malaria parasite genomic surveillance. (6) A mechanism for early detection of malaria outbreak through near real time reporting and a quarterly bulletins of malaria incidence in border districts.ConclusionsThe E8 technical working groups system embodies inter-country collaboration of malaria control and elimination activities. It facilitates sustained interaction between countries through a regional approach. The groundwork for elimination has been laid, but the challenge will be to maintain funding for collaboration at this level whilst reducing reliance on international donors and to build capacities necessary to prepare for malaria elimination.