Publications

West Africa has made considerable progress in national HIV/AIDS policy and program implementation over the past decade, including alignment with global 95-95-95 targets, expanded antiretroviral therapy (ART) access, and enhanced prevention services for pregnant women and children. Despite these achievements, progress remains uneven, with persistent gaps in sustainable domestic financing, donor dependency, legal and human-rights barriers affecting key populations, weak data and surveillance systems, under-resourced primary care and community platforms, and insufficient youth-centered interventions. This review synthesizes national strategic plans, UNAIDS reports, donor assessments, and recent literature to evaluate policy progress, identify recurring gaps, and provide actionable recommendations. Key strategies include reducing donor dependence through sustainable financing, legal reform to remove punitive barriers, scaling services for adolescents and key populations, strengthening public-health data systems, and integrating HIV services into broader health systems. Institutionalized community engagement is emphasized to ensure accountability and equitable service delivery, ultimately supporting resilient and inclusive HIV responses across West Africa.