By Jesse Mikofu
Unguja. Zanzibar has launched a specialised project using drone technology in a renewed drive to achieve zero malaria by identifying and eliminating mosquito breeding sites across the islands.
The initiative, known as Smart Drone Technology for a Malaria-Free Future in Zanzibar, is a partnership between the Zanzibar Ministry of Health through the Zanzibar Malaria Elimination Programme (ZAMEP), the World Health Organization (WHO), Japan’s SORA Technology, and the Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) under Sh1 billion funding by the Government of Japan.
Speaking during the project launch on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Miraji Mngereza Mzee, said it was the first time Zanzibar was implementing a malaria elimination approach combining advanced technology with community participation.
“For many years, there have been challenges with malaria, but in Zanzibar, it is below one percent. Now, with this technology and community involvement, we believe we are going to write history by becoming malaria-free and be recognised globally as a territory without malaria transmission,” said Dr Mngereza.
