That we missed the UNAIDS 2020 HIV targets is now well known. 1 UNAIDS
Seizing the moment: global AIDS Update 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic has most likely further derailed our efforts and additionally put the attainment of the 2030 goals at risk. 2 Hogan AB Jewell BL Sherrard-Smith E et al. Potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria in low-income and middle-income countries: a modelling study.

Lancet Glob Health. 2020; 8: e1132-e1141

This setback is particularly so for Africa, which has in the past three decades borne the brunt of the HIV epidemic. 3 Gona PN Gona CM Ballout S et al. Burden and changes in HIV/AIDS morbidity and mortality in Southern Africa Development Community Countries, 1990–2017.

BMC Public Health. 2020; 20: 867

In The Lancet HIV, The Local Burden of Disease HIV Collaborators' modelling study 4 Local Burden of Disease HIV Collaborators
Subnational mapping of HIV incidence and mortality among individuals aged 15–49 years in sub-Saharan Africa, 2000–18: a modelling study.

Lancet HIV. 2021; 8: e363-e375

gives us a picture of two key parameters, HIV incidence and AIDS mortality, across 44 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, not only at a national level but also at a provincial and district level.