BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
Benin has been selected to host the 24th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA), marking the first time the West African nation will stage the continent’s premier HIV and health conference.
The conference, organised by the Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA), will be held at the Palais des Congrès in Cotonou from December 5 to 9, 2027.
The event is expected to bring together global leaders, researchers, healthcare professionals, advocates and community representatives to discuss Africa’s response to HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), hepatitis, malaria, tuberculosis, emerging viral infections and the strengthening of health systems.
According to a statement from SAA, Benin’s selection followed a highly competitive bidding process, with the country’s bid emerging successful.
The SAA said the decision reflects Benin’s leadership under former and current administrations, led by President Romuald Wadagni.
“Benin’s selection marks its first time hosting the conference. The choice of Benin as the ICASA 2027 host country is a statement of the country’s leadership through the former president and the current elected president of the Republic of Benin H.E. Romuald Wadagni,” read the statement.
The SAA added that ICASA has, since its inception in 1989, provided a platform for Africa’s response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and has grown into one of the continent’s largest health conferences.
The 2025 edition, held in Accra, Ghana, attracted more than 3,169 participants from 87 countries.
And the SAA said the 2027 conference will play an important role in advancing Africa’s health systems, supporting the Sustainable Development Goals, the target of ending new HIV infections by 2030 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
The organisation also thanked the Government of Benin for its commitment to hosting the conference.
“The Society for AIDS in Africa extends its deepest gratitude to the Government of Benin for its unwavering support and commitment to hosting this important event,” SAA said.
Preparations for ICASA 2027 are already underway, with the first International Steering Committee meeting scheduled for November 23 to 24, 2026, at the Golden Tulip Cotonou in Benin.
