Mozambique Begins Rolling Out Long-Acting Injectable Lenacapavir for HIV Prevention

On April 23, Mozambican health authorities launched long-acting injectable HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis based on lenacapavir. allAfrica, citing Agencia de Informação de Moçambique, reported the launch . A week earlier, both the Global Fund and UNAIDS had already listed Mozambique among the countries receiving initial supplies of the drug.

PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, uses antiretroviral medicines before possible HIV exposure to reduce the risk of infection. At the launch ceremony in Matola, Health Minister Ussene Isse called the introduction of lenacapavir an important step in the fight against the epidemic. He said the drug can reduce the risk of infection by more than 99 percent. Lenacapavir is given by injection twice a year, and the programme is intended for people aged 15 and older.

Isse added that the new medicine broadens the country’s menu of combined HIV prevention options. According to the ministry, Mozambique recorded about 92,000 new HIV infections in 2024, including 15,000 among adolescents and young people aged 10 to 19.

Aleny Couto of the national public health directorate called the launch a milestone in the country’s HIV response. She said the rollout of lenacapavir builds on lessons from the pilot use of injectable cabotegravir, which began in 2024 in the northern province of Nampula. In her words, lenacapavir adds another tool to the country’s existing prevention methods within a combined approach.

The new programme will be introduced in phases in 55 health facilities covering 15 districts in the central province of Zambézia, as well as Maputo city and Maputo province. Matola district administrator Gilion Michila said the drug opens new possibilities for protection, care and hope, and urged residents to seek information from health workers and share that knowledge with family and friends. Mozambique is joining Eswatini, Zambia and Zimbabwe, where the technology is already being rolled out.