Africa’s Leadership in HIV Research
For decades, Africa’s role in HIV research was framed as peripheral. The 2025 International AIDS Society (IAS) conference in Kigali made it clear: that era is over. African scientists are now designing clinical trials, steering analysis, and defining the questions that matter.
Studies such as HVTN 702 in South Africa and PrEPVacc across Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, and Mozambique exemplify this shift, with community-centred approaches achieving results. The Kigali Call to Action urged stronger investment in African research capacity, local institutions, and community-led science.
The African Knowledge Institute for Innovation & Scientific Advancement (AKIISA) and its implementation arm, CIIC-HIN, are advancing this vision by strengthening health systems and supporting clinical trials. Led by Dr. Jeanine U Condo, these institutions demonstrate how African-led research can shape global HIV responses despite ongoing challenges.