Zimbabwe needs to mobilize over US$10 million from domestic sources to fund condom procurement in 2025 and 2026 due to the withdrawal of donor funding for this program.
The country has three condom markets: free public sector condoms, low-cost social sector condoms, and commercial condoms. Most condom users obtain them for free from the public sector.
Data from the Ministry of Health and Child Care shows that public sector male condom distribution increased by over 6 million in 2023 compared to 2022.
Since 2007, the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Global Fund have been the primary financial supporters of Zimbabwe’s public sector condom program. However, these donors have recently announced they will stop funding the program by 2026.
At a recent Health Communicators’ Forum media event, Ms. Anna Machiya, the national coordinator for STI prevention and condom distribution at the Ministry of Health, stated that Zimbabwe needs to raise nearly US$1.8 million for female condoms in 2025 and another US$9.4 million for both male and female condoms in 2026.
“The Global Fund has committed US$3.3 million towards condom procurement in 2024, and PEPFAR has committed US$7.1 million for male and female condoms, including lubricants. For 2025, we have US$1.96 million from the Global Fund and about US$2.15 million from PEPFAR, leaving a funding gap of US$1.8 million for female condoms. In 2026, there is no committed funding, so we require US$9.4 million,” said Ms. Machiya.
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She emphasized that this funding gap must be addressed by the Treasury and the National AIDS Trust Fund (AIDS Levy) to sustain STI prevention programs.
“We have advocated for increasing domestic funding and removing VAT and duty for commercial sector condoms to encourage more commercial players to offer affordable brands. This could reduce the burden on free public condom distribution,” added Ms. Machiya.
Condoms, when used correctly and consistently, are highly effective in preventing sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, and unplanned pregnancies.
The World Health Organization reports that increased condom use since 1990 has prevented an estimated 117 million new HIV infections, nearly half in sub-Saharan Africa and over one-third in Asia and the Pacific. Zimbabwe is among the few countries that have achieved the UNAIDS 95-95-95 goals among adults ahead of the 2025 target. Ms. Machiya noted that any disruption in the condom supply chain could undermine other HIV prevention programs.
“Success in condom programming relies on its integration with other sexual reproductive health and HIV prevention, treatment, and care programs. Comprehensive condom programming must be an essential component of these initiatives to enhance access and maximize synergies,” she said.
Engaging men and community leaders as sex partners, role models, and advocates is also crucial to creating a supportive social environment that promotes condom use among all sexually active individuals, including young people.
“Men and young people need to be equipped with skills and knowledge, including negotiation for safer sex, to make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health,” added Ms. Machiya.
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