By Edward Samuel, Abuja
The United States Government has announced a major global health milestone with the launch of Lenacapavir, a groundbreaking twice-yearly HIV prevention injection now being deployed across high-burden African countries.
The announcement was made during a digital press briefing hosted by the U.S. Department of State’s Africa Regional Media Hub, highlighting the collaborative effort between the U.S. Government, Gilead Sciences, and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.
Led by Senior Advisor Brad Smith and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Becky Bunnell, the briefing outlined how the rollout aligns with the America First Global Health Strategy unveiled in September.
The strategy shifts U.S. global health investments toward strengthening African health systems, expanding market-driven partnerships, and ensuring shared responsibility with national governments.
Smith emphasized that the United States remains committed to serving as a global health leader but will do so by supporting African countries to increase domestic health investments.
He said, “The rollout of Lenacapavir represents the best of our partnership with Africa.”
Lenacapavir, an American-developed innovation from Gilead Sciences, is the first twice-yearly injectable HIV prevention drug.
It is said to have nearly 100 percent effectiveness in preventing new HIV infections in global and African-based clinical trials.
With its long-acting protection and simplified dosing, it is being hailed as a game-changer for populations struggling with adherence to daily oral PrEP.
The U.S. and the Global Fund have jointly procured all 600,000 doses available globally for 2026, far surpassing the initial U.S. projection of 250,000.
Strong demand from African countries led to increased commitments, with the U.S. now purchasing 325,000 doses in the first year.
Supply is expected to scale to 2 million doses by mid-2027, when generic manufacturers already licensed and undergoing technology transfer are anticipated to begin production for sustainable long-term access.
Eswatini became the first country to receive shipments of Lenacapavir.
Once the global epicenter of HIV, with nearly one in three adults infected at the peak of the epidemic, Eswatini today boasts one of the world’s highest treatment coverage rates.
He said, “Yet new infections remain a concern. The first phase of Lenacapavir deployment in the country will target over 6,000 individuals at highest risk, particularly adolescent girls, young women, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers, to support efforts to eliminate mother-to-child transmission.”
During the question-and-answer session, officials elaborated on clinical trial outcomes, safety, projected production capacity, and criteria for selecting beneficiaries.
They noted, “Lenacapavir has no addictive properties, has undergone extensive testing in the U.S., Europe, and Africa, and has shown high tolerability across all demographics.
“Country prioritization is based on HIV burden, with an initial rollout to 10 African countries. Within each country, governments, PEPFAR, and the Global Fund are jointly determining how to reach those most at risk.”
The experts agreed that the successful introduction of Lenacapavir could dramatically cut HIV incidence, strengthen prevention programs, improve adherence outcomes, and accelerate Africa’s path toward ending HIV as a public health threat.
As the world observes this historic rollout, the U.S. Government says the initiative proves what is possible when global institutions, private industry, and national governments unite behind a common goal: saving lives and ending the HIV epidemic for future generations.