Background

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) remains a cornerstone of the global HIV prevention response. While its efficacy is well established, uptake has lagged behind expectations, with progress towards UNAIDS 2025 targets uneven across regions. Nonetheless, several countries that have advanced oral PrEP scale-up are already leveraging lessons learned to inform the introduction of new long-acting (LA) PrEP options, including the Dapivirine Vaginal Ring (DVR), injectable Cabotegravir (CAB), and the more recently FDA-approved twice-yearly injectable Lenacapavir (LEN).

Against this backdrop, SSLN-i2i convened a webinar to highlight key findings from AVAC’s June 2025 report, Getting PrEP Rollout Right This Time: Lessons from the Field. The session provided an opportunity to share experiences on PrEP scale-up, discuss enabling policies and delivery models, and consider strategies to accelerate equitable access to PrEP in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Objectives

• Disseminate key findings from the AVAC report, with emphasis on lessons from country implementation.
• Share national experiences on the introduction of DVR and CAB, and early preparations for LEN rollout.
• Share findings from an evidence review on what works to support PrEP use in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Introduce a draft SOP to guide policy adaptation for the inclusion of Lenacapavir.
• Provide a platform for cross-country exchange on opportunities and challenges in sustaining PrEP access.

Introduction and Opening

The webinar was introduced by Lucy Maikweki (SSLN), who welcomed participants and outlined the purpose of the session. She then handed over to Prof. Mulenga (Ministry of Health, Zambia), who officially opened the meeting and underscored the urgency of consolidating HIV prevention gains through evidence-driven and equitable PrEP rollout. Wawira Nyagah (AVAC) chaired the session, setting out the objectives and situating discussions within SSLN’s agenda of peer learning and implementation support.

Key Presentations

The webinar featured a series of presentations that brought country-level insights to the forefront:

• Catherine Verde Hashim (AVAC) presented key highlights from the report Getting PrEP Rollout Right This Time. She emphasised that successful scale-up requires adaptive delivery models, strong community engagement, and flexible policy frameworks.
• Hasina Subedar (National Department of Health, South Africa) shared lessons from South Africa’s rollout of CAB and DVR, stressing the importance of multisectoral engagement and provider preparedness.
• Patriciah Jeckonia (LVCT Health, Kenya) reflected on Kenya’s approach, highlighting stakeholder dialogue and community mobilisation as critical enablers for uptake.
• Natasha Okpara and Kamo Nunu (SSLN–i2i) outlined practical strategies to support PrEP uptake and adherence in SSA based on a review of evidence from the region. They underscored the importance of both individual and service delivery intervention to support effective and persistent use of PrEP, which emphasises person-centred design and choice-based PrEP counselling, strengthens provider training and skills, and the integration of PrEP within broader health systems.
  

Discussion and Q&A

Following the presentations, a dynamic discussion moderated by Wawira Nyagah invited participants to reflect on crucial topics like financing, supply chain readiness, policy harmonisation, and strategies for sustaining adherence. The exchange reaffirmed the central role of community voices and the importance of continued cross-country collaboration.

Closing remarks

In her closing remarks, Lucy Maikweki urged stakeholders to sustain momentum, scale up innovation, and ensure that community perspectives remain central to PrEP programming.

This webinar was a crucial step in fostering peer learning and collective action to accelerate PrEP access. The insights shared will help inform the strategic and equitable rollout of new prevention products across the region