Africa’s HIV prevention efforts are yielding remarkable results, according to a new report by UN AIDS. The report, “The Urgency of Now: AIDS at a Crossroads,” unveiled at the 25th International AIDS Conference on July 22, reveals that for the first time, most new HIV infections occur outside of Africa. This milestone marks a significant achievement in the continent’s fight against the epidemic, offering a hopeful path towards the 2030 targets.
The report highlights that sub-Saharan Africa has seen the steepest reduction in HIV cases compared to 2010. Four countries—Kenya, Malawi, Nepal, and Zimbabwe—have reduced their annual new HIV infections by 75%, positioning them well to achieve the goal of a 90% reduction by 2030.
“For the first time, the number of new HIV infections outside sub-Saharan Africa surpassed the number of new HIV infections in sub-Saharan Africa,” the report states. Globally, new HIV infections have decreased by 39% since 2010, with eastern and southern Africa achieving a 59% reduction.
While almost half of the new HIV infections in 2023 occurred in eastern and southern Africa, these regions also achieved the most significant decline since 2010, with a 56% reduction. This progress underscores the effectiveness of Africa’s prevention measures and sets a precedent for other regions.
Namibia and Botswana stand out as success stories. Namibia received a bronze-tier certification from the WHO in May for reducing mother-to-child transmission to less than 5%. Botswana, recognized in 2021 for its efforts, is also on track to eliminate vertical transmission of HIV.
The availability of diverse prevention methods in Africa, such as condoms and injectable PREP, has increased flexibility and participation in preventive measures. For instance, Zambia became the first African country to authorize injectable PREP in February 2024.
However, the report also highlights challenges. New HIV infections are rising in the Middle East, North Africa, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and Latin America. Additionally, there is a concerning decline in funding for HIV prevention. In 2023, available resources for HIV prevention were $19.8 billion, a 5% drop from 2022 and $9.5 billion short of the required $29.3 billion by 2025.
UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima emphasized the need for political and financial commitment to continue the progress. “Whether leaders fulfill their pledge to end AIDS is a political and financial choice. The time to choose the right path is now,” Byanyima stated during the report’s launch.
The report concludes on a hopeful note, recognizing the impressive strides made by Africa in reducing new HIV infections and emphasizing the need for continued support and innovation to achieve the 2030 targets.
