Africa must lead HIV cure research or repeat past delays, experts warn

What the report says

African researchers are urging governments, universities and civil society across the continent to take a stronger role in HIV cure research, warning that Africa could again be slow to access lifesaving advances if it depends mainly on innovation developed elsewhere. The warning was delivered by Albert Machinda, principal investigator and head of secretariat for the Africa HIV Cure Consortium, during the 2026 HIV Research Community Symposium in Kampala, according to Nile Post.

Machinda argued that Africa has repeatedly faced delays in accessing major health tools, pointing to the later rollout of antiretroviral therapy, oral pre-exposure prophylaxis and COVID-19 vaccines compared with wealthier regions. He said the continent carries a large share of the global HIV burden but contributes very little to cure research, and that studies led in other settings may not fully reflect Africa’s transmission patterns and virus diversity.

The consortium, formed two years ago, brings together African and international partners including research institutions in Uganda, Zambia and South Africa, along with global advocacy and research groups. Its work includes public awareness, training young scientists, policy engagement, regulatory harmonisation and efforts to attract local funding. Machinda said communities should help shape what a future cure looks like and how it would be accessed.

More broadly, the appeal reflects a long-running public health concern: countries that depend on outside research and manufacturing can face delayed access when new medicines or vaccines emerge. The consortium is pushing for HIV cure strategies to be included in national health plans so they can be funded and prioritised within African health systems.