HCWG

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About the HCWG

The African-led HIV Control Working Group (HCWG) is a leading voice in Africa voice advocating for a sustainable HIV response, consolidating evidence, bridging political and technical spaces, and driving the transition from aid dependence to African ownership. We advocate that lessons learned from transitioning the HIV response to local ownership impact the concurrent transition of the broader African health care ecosystem to build African preparedness for any health challenge on the continent. Health care decisions that advance African sovereignty must be prioritized.

The HCWG is comprised of 10 members with expertise in health governance, health and HIV programming and implementation, human rights law, community health advocacy, academia and research, working collectively to shape national, regional, and global HIV policies and Africa’s health sovereignty agenda. These thought leaders work collaboratively to develop:

  • A framework that identifies the necessary components for long-term, sustained HIV control, with particular reference to African realities, health systems, and political economies.
  • A forward-looking organization that utilizes research and implementation science that tracks country progress and identifies knowledge and capacity gaps that constrain sustainable systems-building.

How We Organize Ourselves

To deliver this work effectively, HCWG is structured to be lean, strategic, and deeply African-led. We:

  • Maintain a diverse membership of African experts and leaders who provide strategic direction and technical depth.
  • Operate through a small Executive team that engages directly and consistently with governments, regional bodies, and partners on behalf of the group.
  • Are supported by a core Secretariat enabling us to move quickly from analysis and dialogue to concrete, time-bound action.

With our work being country-focused, politically aware, community-centred, and African-led, the HCWG aims to turn the current transition moment into an opportunity for genuine, lasting African ownership of the HIV response and broader health systems.

Our Goal

Our goal is clear: African governments leading their own sustainable and domestically financed HIV response, accountable to their communities.

Our Objectives

  1. Strengthen countries’ health and HIV sustainability frameworks in an environment of transition
  2. Engage political leadership at all levels to build a shared vision and commitment to sustainability in transition
  3. Build a durable, African-owned platform that advances health sovereignty long after the current transition period.

Through these aims and objectives, the HCWG seeks to position African voices, evidence, and priorities at the centre of the global HIV agenda, ensuring that long-term HIV control and sustainability are defined and driven by those most affected.

“The HCWG is complementary and not duplicative to existing regional efforts.”

Vison

An African-led response for long term HIV control on the continent.

Misson

Finding sustainable HIV solutions owned and led by African stakeholders, in partnership and solidarity with the global community based on the principles of social justice, health, wellbeing, and dignity for all.

Goal

The goal of the HCWG is to offer recommendations to HIV and health funders, multi-lateral health agencies, African governments, and implementing partners for investing in the identified systems and capabilities to achieve and sustain HIV control as defined through consensus building based on African experts’ perspectives.

Critical Components of a Sustainable HIV Response

African-led Governance, Leadership and Accountability

To bolster African voices on the global stage, and increase African representation and unified African positions in global decision-making bodies that reflect the will of people affected by HIV, communities, and civil society. Robust mutual accountability that serves African interests and global solidarity must be embedded within global governance systems. 
Understanding the HIV epidemic

This starts with redefining HIV control from an African perspective, factoring in countries with large, small, and emerging and re-emerging epidemics. The context and diversity of the epidemic at continental, national, sub-national as well as population and sub-population levels must be considered. These definitions can be localized to ensure that the HIV response is also tailored to local needs, to ensure HIV control at that level.
Sustainable Health Financing Mechanisms

This is necessitated by the slowdown in financial assistance, aggravated by multiple crises resulting in competing public health priorities. This underscores the urgent redesign of health financing mechanisms, including a transition to country ownership. Africa must turn its economic power into health prosperity in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, “The Africa we want”.
Advancing Medicines Security and Sovereignty through African-led Innovation

Transforming healthcare in Africa and ensuring the continent’s health security requires decisive shifts towards local manufacturing and bio-technology systems. Local manufacturing is pivotal in moving towards establishing health sovereignty, driving economic growth, and strengthening Africa’s defenses against ongoing and future health challenges.
Shaping an African-led Research and Development Infrastructure

Reshaping the future of healthcare, prioritizing African-led Research and Development (R&D) is essential. It is critical to ensure African sovereignty over research data; promote mutual scientific accountability within the continent; and leverage the power of South-South collaborations while ensuring that South-North scientific partnerships are more equitable and support African interests and strengthen African capacity.
Building with Communities at the Core

Placing communities at the core of health initiatives will enable them to take ownership of their health outcomes and advocate for the services they need. This enables communities to contribute to the development and implementation of strategies that address their unique needs and challenges.
Realizing Health as a Right

Establishing health as an inalienable right requires an expansive and dedicated effort across multiple fronts. The concept of health as a right must be enshrined in legislation, culture, and practice, as we build systems that are more equitable, resilient, and capable of meeting the challenges of today and tomorrow.
Integrating Health Systems 

Integrating HIV services into the general healthcare infrastructure is imperative, for sustainability’s sake and also for mitigating against external shocks such as environmental disasters, political instability, and civil unrest. 
Tailoring Responses to African-specific Health Agendas

These are essential to address the diverse needs of specific populations and contexts, including those faced by adolescent girls and young women, key populations, young people, and populations affected by conflict and civil unrest.