Africa Must Lead Its Own HIV Research
By Lolyne Ongeri
According to the National Syndemics Diseases Control Council, Kenya has seen a significant reduction in new HIV infections, with about 16,752 new infections recorded in 2024. Adolescents and young people (AYP) account for a significant portion of new HIV infections, highlighting the need for targeted interventions. Female sex workers (FSWs), men who have sex with men (MSM), and people who inject drugs (PWID) also face disproportionately high rates of infection.
At the 13th International AIDS Conference on HIV Science 2025 in Kigali, global health leaders emphasized the importance of long-acting HIV prevention tools, harnessing the power of technology, African-led research, and community-based care models. These conversations were timely, but they also came against the backdrop of a growing funding crisis.
One of the most immediate consequences of this shift is that Jinsiangu’s HIV programme has slowed down. The Fahari ya Jamii programme, which served transgender, gender non-conforming, and intersex communities in Nairobi, was fully funded by USAID With that funding withdrawn, service provision has slowed down, making some services unavailable, stalling the integration and scale-up of ITGNC-friendly services into other facilities.
Our programme focused on:
✅Access to PrEP and PEP for TG/GNC youth
✅Psychosocial support and referrals
✅Policy advocacy
✅Integration of gender-affirming care with HIV prevention
✅Access to SRHR services i.e. screening for cancers, and GBV response
✅Implementing educational programs focused on sexual health and HIV prevention tailored to transgender persons.
The scientific advancements highlighted at IAS 2025, such as injectable PrEP lenacapavir (LEN) and improved treatment regimens, have the potential to significantly reduce HIV incidence. However, without sustainable funding and implementation mechanisms, those tools will remain out of reach for the communities most affected by HIV.
As discussions on innovation and equity in HIV response continue, there’s a need to prioritize African-led research, manufacturing, and policy leadership, reducing donor dependency and strengthening local ownership of HIV programmes.
