Eswatini to receive E11.1 million worth of vials next year

Eswatini is expected to receive a significantly larger consignment of lenacapavir early next year, with sources indicating that they will be worth E11.1 million scheduled to arrive in January 2026.

The upcoming delivery follows Tuesday’s initial batch, which made Eswatini the first African country to receive the twice-yearly HIV prevention injection.

Health officials familiar with the rollout said preparations are already underway to accommodate the larger shipment.

The Ministry of Health is finalising expansion plans that will see the medicine distributed to more facilities across the four regions.

The rollout forms part of a programme supported by PEPFAR and the Global Fund, targeting ten African countries with high HIV incidence.
Zambia also received its first consignment on Tuesday, joining Eswatini in the initial phase.

Regulatory processes are at various stages in Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

Global partners estimate that the broader African programme will reach at least two million people by 2027. The U.S. had initially projected distributing 250,000 doses during the first year of the programme.

Eswatini’s high HIV burden remains a key factor in its prioritisation. The country continues to report one of the highest adult HIV prevalence rates globally, with adolescent girls, young women and key populations most affected. Oral PrEP uptake has expanded, but data shows that many users discontinue within the first year.

Worth noting, Lenacapavir is administered every six months and is designed to address adherence challenges associated with daily pills. It is currently approved for adults and adolescents weighing at least 35 kilograms.

NERCHA and the Ministry of Health said that the upcoming 2026 consignment will allow wider distribution among high-risk groups identified in the National HIV Strategic Framework. CANGO will continue to coordinate community mobilisation efforts to support demand creation.

Across the region, Zambia’s rollout is expected to proceed in phases, targeting mining communities, border areas and key populations. Other participating countries are preparing regulatory submissions and programme designs to align with Global Fund and PEPFAR requirements.

The arrival of the January consignment is expected to accelerate Eswatini’s aim of reducing new HIV infections and increasing access to modern prevention technologies. Health workers will undergo further training ahead of the nationwide expansion.