NetMark represents a time-limited investment by USAID to reduce the burden of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa by increasing the commercial supply of and public demand for insecticide treated nets. This is achieved primarily through partnerships with commercial companies and national malaria control programs, and national scale public education and promotional efforts.

NetMark and the 44 commercial partners it has worked with since 1999 have invested over 85% of their resources in the target countries and created sustainable commercial markets for nets and ITNs, making them available to all socio-economic groups. High risk groups such as pregnant women and children less than five years are receiving free or subsidized ITNs, and donors are better able to target their free distribution to the neediest.

The following results of NetMark are based on retail audits, sales data from partners and household surveys conducted in 2000 and 2004:

• In four of the NetMark countries surveyed in 2004, it is estimated that nearly 15 million more people were protected from malaria by ITNs than before NetMark began activities in 2000. NetMark is in the process of making similar estimates in all other countries.

• NetMark’s communication activities have helped teach more than 100 million people about the dangers of malaria and how ITNs can prevent it.

• NetMark’s programs have benefited the lower socio-economic groups as much or more than the wealthiest groups. In Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal and Zambia, the poorest 40% of the population own 33% of the nets. In contrast, 26% of nets distributed by the public sector (usually at highly subsidized prices) go to the wealthiest 20% of households.

• NetMark has demonstrated that voucher programs are feasible in sub-Saharan Africa. In Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal and Zambia, 225,000 pregnant women and mothers of children being vaccinated received vouchers at health clinics and redeemed them for discounted or free ITNs in commercial outlets.

• ITNs now cost 75% less than untreated nets did in 2000, because of more ITN brands and competition in the market that has been established by NetMark. The drop in price ranges from $1 to $20 in NetMark countries.

	Net 2001	ITN 2004	Difference
Ethiopia	$6.40	$2.54	$3.86
Ghana	$7.14	$4.78	$2.36
Nigeria	$3.64	$2.75	$0.89
Senegal	$8.00	$5.29	$2.71
Uganda	$14.29	$4.50	$9.79
Zambia	$5.39	$4.57	$0.82
Zimbabwe	$27.29	$7.95	$19.34

• NetMark partners sold 5.3 million nets through 2004. By October 2007, cumulative ITN sales by NetMark partners are expected to reach 28 million units. NetMark’s national public education and promotion programs have increased demand for and sales of ITNs beyond its formal partners. It has increased use of ITNs whether distributed through the public or commercial sector.

• Since 1999, NetMark has partnered with 35 African and 9 international commercial partners who have invested over $18 million dollars in country programs and made organizational changes to support growing market demand. This will ensure a sustainable supply of nets when donors are no longer willing or able to supply free nets for all of sub-Saharan Africa’s 689 million people.

• Before NetMark, few nets were treated with insecticide, which makes them twice as effective at preventing malaria. Now, 65% of nets owned in NetMark countries have been treated.

• NetMark advocacy contributed to the removal of taxes and tariffs on insecticides and netting materials in Ethiopia, Ghana, Zambia, Mali, Senegal and Uganda. This led to market expansion and lower prices, ensuring a supply of quality nets for the public.