NANOMATERIALS IN MALARIA CONTROL IN AFRICA: ADVANCED MECHANISMS, APPLICATIONS, AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES

Malaria remains one of the most devastating infectious diseases in Sub Saharan Africa, accounting for nearly 95% of global malaria morbidity and mortality.[1] Despite progress in artemisinin based combination therapies (ACTs), insecticide treated nets (ITNs), and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), challenges such as drug resistance, vector resistance, poor drug bioavailability, and limited early diagnostic sensitivity persist. Nanotechnology, involving the engineering of materials at the nanoscale (1–100 nm), provides promising tools to address these limitations. Nanomaterials exhibit unique physicochemical properties including high surface area, tunable surface chemistry, and enhanced permeability that enable targeted drug delivery, controlled drug release, ultrasensitive diagnostics, and eco‑friendly vector control strategies. This review summarizes recent advances in the use of nanomaterials for malaria therapy, diagnosis, and prevention with emphasis on the African context. Mechanistic aspects of nanocarrier pharmacokinetics, blood–brain barrier transport, green synthesis approaches, toxicological considerations, and regulatory frameworks are also discussed. The integration of nanomedicine with malaria control programs may significantly enhance disease management and contribute to global malaria elimination efforts.[2]