Opening Speech: Domestic Financing for HIV Response in Nigeria & Dissemination of ICASA 2023 Report

Dear participants – both in-person here in Abuja and those joining virtually from across the world,
Dear esteemed partners – UNAIDS, PEPFAR, Global Fund (GF), the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM), the Peer Review Forum,
Dear speakers for today’s joint webinar,
And dear members of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Nigeria,

It is my singular honor and pleasure to welcome you to today’s webinar on Domestic Financing for HIV Response in Nigeria and the dissemination of the outcomes from the ICASA 2023 report. I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to all participants, as well as to our sponsors who have contributed to the success of the Accountability Forum Nigeria, 2024.

This webinar is part of a series of initiatives organized by the Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA), the organizer of the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA). The Society for AIDS in Africa has long been a strong advocate for all African states to honor their commitments under the Abuja Declaration (2001), which calls for 15% of national budgets to be allocated to health systems. This remains as vital today as it was when first signed. The strength of a nation’s health system directly impacts its economic productivity, and ultimately, its overall development.

As we approach the year 2030 and work towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it is imperative that we look beyond external donor funding and focus on how domestic financing for HIV can be strengthened. Domestic financing is critical not only to sustain treatment for those already living with HIV but also to reduce new infections and maintain an effective response with less reliance on external support.

To achieve this goal, there are several key areas that we must focus on, though this list is by no means exhaustive:

Innovative financing mechanisms: We must explore creative solutions to raise funds locally, including through public-private partnerships, health taxes, and other financial instruments.
Controlling and mitigating the impact of corruption and mismanagement: Transparent use of resources is crucial for the sustainability of HIV responses.
Private sector involvement: Engaging the private sector in financing, service delivery, and health insurance can play a significant role in filling financing gaps.
Policy reform: Governments need to prioritize health in their policy agendas and ensure that health systems are adequately funded, efficient, and inclusive.
Strengthening the health insurance system: Expanding access to affordable health insurance can provide critical support to those living with HIV, ensuring they stay on treatment and receive quality care.
As we move forward, it is clear that Africa has no alternative but to rise to the occasion and meet the expectations of the new generation – a generation that is calling for more accountability, transparency, and policy reform. We must act with urgency and commitment to ensure that future generations inherit a continent that is healthier, more prosperous, and free from the scourge of HIV.

Once again, I welcome you all to today’s session. Let us engage in fruitful discussions and collaborate on how to ensure that the financing for HIV responses in Nigeria, and across Africa, is both sustainable and effective.

Enjoy the session, and thank you.