Abstract

Malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa, historically concentrated in rural ecosystems, is increasingly emerging in urban and 
peri-urban settings due to rapid urbanization, land-use changes, and heightened human mobility. This review 
examines the shifting distribution of Anopheles mosquitoes, highlighting how deforestation, agricultural 
intensification, irrigation, informal settlements, and urban-rural interfaces modify vector habitats and transmission 
dynamics. Evidence indicates that key vectors, including Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles arabiensis, exhibit 
remarkable ecological adaptability, thriving in artificial and polluted urban environments. The review underscores 
the limitations of traditional rural-focused control measures, such as insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and indoor 
residual spraying (IRS), and emphasizes the need for urban-tailored strategies, including larval source management, 
environmental modifications, strengthened surveillance, and integration with urban planning. Critical research gaps 
persist in understanding vector behavior, socioeconomic determinants, and climate change impacts on urban malaria. 
Addressing these gaps through multidisciplinary, context-specific interventions is essential to sustain malaria 
control efforts and mitigate the growing threat of urban malaria across Sub-Saharan Africa.