Rwanda to roll out long-acting HIV prevention injection Lenacapavir by the end of 2026

RWANDA—The Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) has confirmed that the government will introduce lenacapavir, a groundbreaking long-acting injectable medication for HIV prevention, during the final quarter of this year.

The announcement follows Kenya’s recent decision to register the drug after its Pharmacy and Poisons Board recommended approval for both the 300 mg tablet and 464 mg injectable solution forms for use as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

Healthcare authorities will add the injection to Rwanda’s existing HIV prevention toolkit, offering people a new option that requires administration only once every six months.

Dr. Zephanie Nzeyimana, the HIV Key Population Strategic Officer at RBC, explained that the planned timeline gives authorities sufficient time to complete all necessary regulatory approvals and adequately prepare health facilities across the country before introducing the medication to the public.

“Lenacapavir is likely to be available in the country in quarter four of this year. Some processes still need to be completed before it can be introduced in health facilities,” Dr. Nzeyimana told The New Times during an interview.

The introduction of lenacapavir will expand rather than replace current prevention methods available in Rwanda.

Dr. Nzeyimana emphasized that people will continue to have access to daily oral PrEP and injectable cabotegravir alongside the new option, allowing them to select the prevention method that works best for their individual circumstances and lifestyles.

This variety can potentially improve overall access to HIV prevention services and help people maintain consistent use of these protective measures.

Healthcare providers will use a risk-based approach to determine who qualifies for lenacapavir treatment.

The drug will primarily target individuals at substantial risk of acquiring HIV, including female sex workers, men who have sex with men, and HIV-negative people in relationships where their partner has HIV.

 However, Dr. Nzeyimana clarified that access will extend beyond these specific groups, as healthcare workers will evaluate each person’s individual risk using both behavioural patterns and epidemiological data to identify others who could benefit from the medication.

Clinical trials have demonstrated that lenacapavir provides effective protection for the full six-month period between injections when administered according to the recommended schedule.

Recipients will receive comprehensive support during their treatment, including counselling sessions at each injection appointment and clear guidance on recognizing and reporting any unusual symptoms or side effects they may experience.

Healthcare workers will also offer risk-reduction advice and conduct screening for other sexually transmitted infections as needed.

The government will provide lenacapavir free of charge to all eligible individuals, ensuring that access does not depend on a person’s financial capacity.

While the medication itself will be free, some related healthcare services may fall under coverage provided by existing health insurance programs, including community-based health insurance schemes.

RBC and its partners are preparing comprehensive training programs for healthcare providers to ensure they can deliver accurate, consistent information about lenacapavir at health facilities and during community outreach activities.

These efforts will include public awareness campaigns to educate communities about the new prevention option while actively addressing any misconceptions or misinformation that may arise.

Rwanda joins a growing number of African nations adopting this innovative prevention tool.

Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Eswatini have already completed their regulatory approvals and received initial shipments of the drug.

Botswana, Malawi, Tanzania, and Uganda have also authorized lenacapavir for use, while Kenya and Namibia are finalizing their preparations for national rollouts.

The United States Food and Drug Administration approved lenacapavir under the brand name Yeztugo on June 18, 2025, marking it as the first twice-yearly injectable PrEP medication designed to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV in adults and adolescents who face potential exposure to the virus.