21.7 million Africans now on HIV treatment — WHO

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says 21.7 million people living with HIV in Africa are now on lifesaving treatment, but warns that this progress remains fragile amid shrinking global funding and rising misinformation.

In his World AIDS Day 2025 message, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Mohamed Janabi, said the continent must “renew our shared commitment to ending HIV in Africa,” stressing that despite the gains, “progress remains fragile.”

He said this year’s theme, “Overcoming Disruption: Transforming the AIDS Response”—speaks to the urgency of redefining strategies in an era where financial support for HIV programmes is tightening.

“This theme challenges us to redefine our response to an unprecedented HIV funding landscape that is threatening decades of progress,” he said. “These pullbacks make it more urgent than ever to safeguard the gains, and protect lives.”

He noted that the growing number of Africans on antiretroviral therapy reflects years of sustained work to expand access. However, he warned that maintaining these gains will require stronger, self-reliant systems.

“Across Africa, countries are working to embed HIV services within primary health care systems, ensuring inclusive, people-centred care,” he said, adding that protecting testing, treatment and prevention infrastructure must remain a priority.

Highlighting new tools that could accelerate progress, Dr. Janabi pointed to Lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention injection administered twice a year. “WHO commends South Africa for being the first African country to licence Lenacapavir for use to prevent HIV, and we hope more African countries will follow their lead,” he said.

He also cautioned against rising misinformation, which he described as a growing threat to public health. “Misinformation can be as dangerous as service disruption.

“We must defend scientific freedom, promote evidence-based policies, and continue to support community and civil society leadership.”

Youth networks, he said, played a critical role during recent crises by using WhatsApp and local radio to “share reliable information and encourage HIV treatment adherence.”

Dr. Janabi noted that new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths in Africa have each fallen by more than half since 2010, and praised Botswana’s Gold Tier status for eliminating mother-to-child transmission as proof of what sustained political commitment can achieve.

But he warned that the region cannot afford complacency. “We must act now to protect what has been achieved, and accelerate what remains unfinished,” he urged.

He called for increased domestic funding, stronger health systems, human-rights–based policies and targeted support for key populations, adolescent girls and young women.

Dr. Janabi reaffirmed WHO’s support for African countries and invoked an African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

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