By Bilkis Abdulraheem Lawal
As the world marks World AIDS Day 2025, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged African governments and partners to intensify efforts toward ending HIV on the continent, warning that recent funding disruptions threaten decades of hard-won progress.
In a commemorative message, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Mohamed Janabi, said this year’s theme, “Overcoming Disruption: Transforming the AIDS Response,” reflects the urgent need to rethink Africa’s HIV response amid shrinking global funding.
According to him, the continent faces an unprecedented financing landscape that could stall gains in testing, treatment, prevention, and community-led interventions.
“These pullbacks make it more urgent than ever to safeguard the gains and protect lives,” Janabi said.
Despite the challenges, the WHO chief noted that African countries are pushing toward a more self-reliant, integrated and people-centred HIV response, by embedding HIV services within primary healthcare systems. He stressed the importance of protecting infrastructure that supports testing, treatment, prevention, and access to innovation.
One such innovation, the long-acting HIV prevention medicine Lenacapavir, requires only two injections per year and could transform prevention across the continent. Janabi commended South Africa for being the first African country to license the drug for HIV prevention and encouraged other nations to follow.
Protecting Trust in Science
Janabi warned that misinformation remains a serious threat to HIV progress. He highlighted the role of communities, civil society and youth networks, who have used channels such as WhatsApp and local radio, to promote treatment adherence and share verified information.
“Misinformation can be as dangerous as service disruption,” he said.
“We must defend scientific freedom and promote evidence-based policies.”
Progress and Remaining Gaps
Since 2010, the African region has recorded a more than 50% reduction in new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths. About 21.7 million people now access lifesaving antiretroviral therapy.
Countries such as Botswana and Namibia have reached major milestones in eliminating mother-to-child transmission, showing what long-term commitment can achieve.
However, Janabi emphasized that progress remains fragile.
Four Key Actions for Member States
He urged African governments and partners to:
• Transform the HIV response through increased domestic investment and locally-led systems.
• Rebuild momentum by strengthening health systems to deliver equitable, reliable services.
• Restore trust by tackling stigma, misinformation and discrimination.
• Confront inequality by prioritizing services for key populations, adolescent girls and young women.
Janabi reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to supporting African countries and communities during this transition period, saying the future of Africa’s HIV response depends on collective action.
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together,” he noted, quoting an African proverb.
“Together, we can end AIDS in Africa.”
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