A new pilot program will test the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and drone technology to strengthen malaria prevention efforts. With funding from Unitaid, the initiative will be implemented by Japan-based SORA Technology Inc. in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and Mozambique’s National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP).
AI is transforming how global health challenges are approached, from predicting disease outbreaks to improving diagnosis and logistics. In Mozambique, the technology will be tested to see whether drones equipped with AI software can help identify and reduce mosquito breeding sites more efficiently than traditional methods.
“We are deeply honored that our technology is being applied in the field through WHO with the support of Unitaid. At SORA Technology, we believe in harnessing innovation for the public good, and we have worked to contribute to global infectious disease control from Japan,” said SORA Founder and CEO Yosuke Kaneko. “This initiative highlights the power of collaboration between international organizations, governments, and the private sector to build fairer and more sustainable health systems.”
Malaria continues to claim nearly 600,000 lives each year, with global progress against the disease slowing. Mozambique is among the world’s highest-burden countries, with an estimated 22,000 deaths and more than 10 million infections annually. While mosquito nets, indoor spraying and other prevention methods have saved countless lives and remain essential, they are struggling to keep pace as mosquitoes develop resistance and shifting weather patterns linked to climate change extend transmission seasons. Countries need to explore new tools that reflect today’s challenges and technologies, to sustain progress and protect hard-won gains against malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases.
“We are entering a period where traditional tools alone will no longer be enough to control diseases like malaria,” said Dr Philippe Duneton, Executive Director of Unitaid. “This pilot represents the kind of forward-looking innovation the global health community needs; testing practical, scalable solutions that can help countries respond to new realities shaped by shifting disease patterns, urbanization, and climate change.”
Disease-carrying mosquitoes often breed in small, stagnant pools of water found outdoors. Locating and treating these habitats is especially challenging in dense urban areas, where vector control operations rely largely on manual mapping for larviciding, a process that is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and often incomplete, as many breeding sites can be small or hard to find. The project with SORA will generate digital maps to guide field teams through a mobile app, helping them apply larvicide treatments directly to mosquito breeding sites.
“This initiative shows how innovation can help us move closer to eliminating malaria,” said Dr Severin von Xylander, WHO Representative in Mozambique. “We are proud to support the Government of Mozambique in using cutting-edge technology to protect lives.”
The pilot will also work closely with communities most affected by malaria, particularly women and mothers, who play a central role in protecting families from the disease. Through targeted engagement and links with maternal health services, the project aims to build awareness and support local participation in malaria prevention efforts. Lessons from Mozambique will help guide how future technologies are tested, adapted, and integrated into national strategies.
About Unitaid
Unitaid saves lives by making new health products affordable and available in low- and middle-income countries. Collaborating with partners, Unitaid identifies innovative treatments, tackles market barriers, and quickly delivers solutions to those in need. Since 2006, Unitaid has unlocked over 100 health products, addressing HIV, TB, malaria, women’s and children’s health, and pandemic preparedness. Every year, these products benefit more than 300 million people. Unitaid is a hosted partnership of the World Health Organization.
About SORA Technology
SORA Technology is a Japan-based company leveraging drones, AI, and satellite data to tackle public health challenges. Its core platform, the SORA Health Intelligence Room, integrates satellite, drone, and ground data to support disease-risk forecasting, targeted interventions, and impact monitoring for malaria, dengue, and other vector-borne diseases. Building on this health foundation, SORA delivers adaptable aerial intelligence solutions for agriculture, mining, and environmental applications, contributing to social impact and sustainable development across the Global South. https://sora-technology.com/en
Kyle Wilkinson
Communications officer
+41 79 445 17 45
wilkinsonk@unitaid.who.int
