Rwanda Rolls Out Two-Month HIV Prevention Injection

Staying healthy just got easier for thousands of people at risk of HIV in Rwanda, thanks to a game-changing injection that works for two whole months.

The Rwanda Biomedical Centre is rolling out Cabotegravir nationwide this week, an injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) that eliminates the daily pill routine. The move comes after a one-year pilot program showed the approach works better than traditional prevention methods.

Dr. Zephanie Nzeyimana, HIV Key Population Strategic Officer at RBC, says the difference is clear. "We have seen through this pilot that injectable PrEP is far better than oral PrEP in terms of adherence," she explained. "People prefer it because they don't have to take a pill every day."

The pilot program launched in January 2025 at two Kigali health centers, Gikondo and Busanza. By February, 148 people had consistently received the injection throughout the study period, showing strong commitment to the new approach.

Donatile Cyiza, a Kigali sex worker, says the injectable changed her life. Daily pills required strict timing and consistency, something that didn't always fit her reality. "There are times when I am busy, or I have taken alcohol, or I simply forget to take the pills," she said. "That is why the injectable was a lifesaver for me."

The first phase of nationwide rollout covers multiple Kigali districts, including Kicukiro, Gasabo, and Nyarugenge. Eleven healthcare facilities will offer the service, from Masaka District Hospital to Muhima District Hospital, chosen specifically to reach people who need protection most.

Trained healthcare providers at these facilities will assess individual risk and help participants decide if the injectable is right for them. The program targets people at substantial risk, including sex workers, men who have sex with men, and others with higher exposure to the virus.

The Ripple Effect

This rollout positions Rwanda as a leader in HIV prevention innovation across Africa. The country's success with the pilot demonstrates that when healthcare meets people where they are, real change happens.

Global evidence already shows injectable PrEP improves adherence and provides strong protection against HIV. Rwanda's pilot confirmed these findings work in real-world African settings, paving the way for other countries to follow suit.

The injection does come with mild side effects like pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site, but these typically resolve within days. For participants like Cyiza, that small trade-off beats the challenge of daily pills.

Rwanda is proving that simpler solutions can create bigger impact in the fight against HIV.