A new long-acting HIV-prevention injection called lenacapavir is now being administered in Eswatini and Zambia. This injection requires just two doses per year. This treatment, which has been shown in clinical trials to provide almost total protection, is expected to bolster Africa’s response to HIV at a time when the continent remains the global epicentre of the epidemic. According to a 2024 report by the WHO, an estimated 26.3 million people are living with HIV in Africa.
In the fight against HIV, a major breakthrough is emerging in Southern Africa. Eswatini and Zambia have launched the administration of lenacapavir, a new injectable PrEP, administered only twice a year and designed for people who have difficulty adhering to a daily oral regimen. In Eswatini, where the HIV prevalence rate is around 27% among adults, the first doses are intended for the most at-risk groups. In Zambia, the focus is primarily on young people and vulnerable communities. For healthcare professionals, this innovation could significantly reduce new infections in a region where sub-Saharan Africa still accounts for more than 60% of global infections.
It is going to go a long way in terms of addressing new infections which we are struggling with in recent times. Much appreciation to the donors and partners that are working with us.
Mduduzi Matsebula, Health Minister – Eswatini
Health authorities are welcoming this “essential” development but urging caution. Local organizations point out that the effectiveness of lenacapavir will depend on sufficiently robust health systems to monitor injections, guarantee drug availability, and train staff in this new prevention method. In Zambia, the Ministry of Health describes this deployment as a crucial step in curbing transmission among high-risk populations.
This milestone demonstrates Zambia’s renewed leadership in the global AIDS response and our capacity to transform challenges into opportunities. It will guide the world of Linkapua, alongside other preventive methods such as condoms, VIMMC and additional PrEP options.
Elijah Muchima, Health Minister – Zambia
As South Africa prepares to join this movement, UNAIDS emphasizes that biomedical innovations, however promising, must be supported by robust infrastructure to sustainably transform the trajectory of the epidemic. For many regional stakeholders, the arrival of lenacapavir marks a turning point, but its real impact will depend on countries’ ability to sustainably integrate these prevention tools into their national public health strategies.
