Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection and Acquired ImmunoDeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a condition caused by infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which is a member of genus Lentivirus, and part of Retroviridae family. Upon infection, one may experience a brief period of flu-like syndrome, followed by a prolonged incubation period with no symptoms. As the infection progresses, it defects the immune system, and increases the risk of cancer, rare tumor developement, common infections such as tubercloses, and other opportunistic infections. These late symptoms which are often accompanied by unintended weight loss are referred to as Acquired ImmunoDeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

Two types of HIV have been identified, both known to have originated from west-central Africa. HIV-1 which is more virulant and infective has emerged through wild chimpanzees in southern Cameroon. HIV-2 is believed to have apeared by sooty mangabey, an Old World monkey living in littoral West Africa (from southern Senegal to western Ivory Coast), and is mainly confined to West Africa.

Today, more than two-third of HIV-positive people live in Africa. Eastern and Southern Africa alone account for 60% of population living with HIV. As of 2011, at least 10 percent of population living in South Africa, Eswatini, Namibia, Mozambique, Lesotho, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi have been infected with HIV.

The dashboard below visualizes the HIV/AIDS statistics in Africa.