West and Central Africa

In a significant step towards combating HIV-related stigma and discrimination, Nigeria officially joined the Global Partnership for Action to Eliminate All Forms of HIV-Related Stigma and Discrimination (Global Partnership) on 5 March 2025, during the commemoration of Zero Discrimination Day. Nigeria became the 41st member of the Global Partnership, underscoring Nigeria’s commitment to uphold human rights and create an inclusive and supportive environment for people living with and…

The 90-day pause in US foreign assistance has caused a major shock to the national response to AIDS in Côte d’Ivoire.

The Ministry of Health in Cameroon has developed a set of mitigation measures to ensure continuity of HIV services to people living with HIV and vulnerable populations that could be impacted by the suspension of Unites States Government funding. 

ABUJA, NIGERIA, 3 December 2024 — The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Funke Akindele, a multiple award-winning actress, movie producer and director, as its new National Goodwill Ambassador (GWA) for Nigeria. This prestigious nomination recognizes Funke Akindele’s outstanding contributions to the fight against HIV and her unwavering commitment to advocacy, raising awareness, and driving efforts to end AIDS as a public health threat by…

In Togo, youth and adolescents living with HIV are stepping forward to lead the response against the AIDS epidemic. Through resilience, determination, and a collective vision, they have come together to form a new youth-led network called the Network of Positive Children, Adolescents and Youth Innovating for Renewal (REAJIR+), This grassroots initiative is dedicated to amplifying the voices of all children, adolescents and young people affected by HIV, and is a testament to the power of youth…

“Despite the fact that young people have more access to information through the internet and social media than ever before, many young people are struggling to make informed decisions about their sexual relations,” said UNAIDS Country Director Henk Van Renterghem. For example, the survey revealed that only 40% knew that medicine (anti-retroviral treatment) existed for HIV and 39% of girls (29% of boys) did not know that condoms prevented HIV transmission. Last year, 20% of new HIV infections in…

In a modest neighborhood of Bangui, Central African Republic’s capital city, Gniwali Ndangou is rushing to work. She’s a peer educator and community health worker at a youth sexual education centre, CISJEU. The same centre that saved her life.

Girls’ education as a tool to prevent HIV infection has been centered at the 1st African Union Pan-African Conference on Girls’ and Women’s Education in Africa. This followed African leaders designating education as the 2024 African Union theme of the year.

One year ago, on 15 April 2023, armed conflict broke out in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces. Since then, the situation has worsened. The hostilities, which were initially centred in Khartoum State, have intensified and rendered over half the country inaccessible.

Responding to the passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill in Ghana’s parliament, UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima said: