Cameroon has recorded an estimated 21,000 new HIV infections in 2025, according to data from the second Cameroon Population-based HIV Impact Assessment (CAMPHIA) 2024/2025 survey released by the Ministry of Public Health.
The survey was conducted between September 2024 and January 2025 and provides updated figures on the state of the HIV epidemic nationwide.
Health Minister Dr Manaouda Malachie reported that the annual HIV incidence among adults aged 15 to 49 years now stands at 0.15%, a decline from earlier estimates. This rate corresponds to roughly 21,000 new infections nationwide over the past year.
Officials say the overall national HIV prevalence among adults is now 2.6%, down from 3.4% in the 2017 CAMPHIA survey. This decline reflects progress in expanding access to testing and treatment, though key challenges remain.
The epidemic continues to disproportionately affect women. New infection rates among females aged 15 to 49 are reported at 0.24%, compared with just 0.06% among men, meaning women face a four-times higher risk of HIV infection.
The data also show regional variations. The North and Far North regions reported some of the lowest prevalence rates, around 1.5 per cent, while the Centre region outside Yaoundé had a prevalence of 4.6%, indicating persistent disparities across the country.
Survey results point to significant gaps in viral suppression among younger people. Older adults living with HIV have high rates of viral suppression, but figures are much lower among adolescents and young adults, especially young women aged 15 to 24, who remain at higher risk.
Cameroon’s HIV response has achieved notable strides over the past decade, including increased antiretroviral therapy coverage and stronger testing efforts. However, health authorities and international partners emphasise the need for continued focus on prevention, youth engagement, and gender-sensitive programmes.
The government has reaffirmed its commitment to the global targets of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 while acknowledging ongoing challenges such as funding gaps and uneven access to services across regions.
