Top Qs
Timeline
Chat
Perspective
Leopold Zekeng
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Remove ads
Leopold Achengui Zekeng (born in Dschang, Western Region, Cameroon on 4 June 1959) is a virologist, immunologist, microbiologist and global health advocate, currently serving as the Country Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) in Nigeria.[1] With over three decades of experience in HIV and AIDS research, policy development, and international program implementation, he has contributed significantly to public health efforts across Sub-Saharan Africa.
 |
Remove ads
Early life and education
Zekeng was born and raised in Cameroon in a family environment that prioritized education and formal learning. His early education took place in a Catholic school system.
He later attended the University Cheikh Anta Diop in Senegal.
Zekeng received a scholarship awarded by the Ministry of Education in Cameroon, based on academic merit, he received a scholarship from the Cameroonian Ministry of Education to pursue international studies.
Remove ads
Career
Zekeng worked with Médecins Sans Frontières and the World Health Organization before joining UNAIDS in the early 2000s. He held technical and leadership roles across Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Central African Republic.[2]
Zekeng began his UNAIDS career in 2005 as the agency's Country Coordinator in Sierra Leone. His work focused on integrating HIV and AIDS programming into national recovery and development frameworks.
He was subsequently appointed to lead UNAIDS in Liberia. In Ghana, he worked with the West and Central Africa regional team, providing technical support to 23 countries and coordinating cross-border HIV strategy among stakeholders in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
In 2007, he assumed a post in Dakar, Senegal, coordinating technical operations for UNAIDS across West and Central Africa.
Between 2010 and 2015, Zekeng served as UNAIDS Country Director in Tanzania.
Zekeng held subsequent roles at UNAIDS headquarters in Geneva and Brazzaville.
Remove ads
Scientific contributions
Summarize
Perspective
In 1994, Leopold Zekeng and his research team in Cameroon identified a highly divergent strain of HIV-1, later designated MVP-5180. This strain exhibited unique genetic and immunologic properties that rendered it undetectable by most standard HIV tests at the time. Sequencing of its genome revealed that MVP-5180 shared only 65% genetic similarity with typical HIV-1 strains and 56% with HIV-2, placing it evolutionarily closer to the divergence point between HIV-1 and HIV-2.
Serological testing in Cameroon revealed that approximately 8% of HIV-positive individuals were reactive to MVP-5180 antigens. Along with another isolate from Cameroon (ANT-70), this strain was later classified as part of HIV-1 Group O (for "Outlier"), a distinct and previously unrecognized group of the virus.[3]
This discovery highlighted the significant genetic diversity of HIV in West Central Africa. Zekeng’s work led to the redesign of diagnostic protocols to account for Group O and other non-M subtypes.
He later contributed to the development of research infrastructure in Cameroon, including the establishment of a high-containment virology lab recognized by the U.S. CDC under the PEPFAR program.
HIV-1 Classification Table
Note: Group M is further divided into subtypes A–K, with CRF02_AG being predominant in West Africa. [4]
HIV and the Fast-Track Cities Initiative
Under the joint leadership of Leopold Zekeng and technical lead Eric Verschueren, the West and Central Africa (WCA) region was the first to adapt the Paris Declaration on Fast-Track Cities, committing to end the AIDS epidemic in urban centres.. It launched regional strategies across 15 priority urban centres, focused on accelerated HIV and TB testing, treatment expansion, targeted data collection, and stakeholder mobilization via mayoral working groups.
As of 2022, he serves as UNAIDS Country Director in Nigeria. In this role, he has worked with the Nigerian government, the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), and civil society to promote equitable treatment access, reduce stigma, and improve maternal and child health outcomes.[5][6][2][7]
Remove ads
UNAIDS Country Leadership
Leopold Zekeng has served as the UNAIDS Country Director or held an equivalent leadership role in five countries:
Remove ads
Advocacy and public engagement
As a public speaker and advocate, Zekeng has participated in World AIDS Day events, the Global Partnership for Zero Discrimination, and national health forums.[11][12]
He has appeared in media interviews and op‑eds, addressing topics like gender equity in HIV prevention and leveraging community leadership.[13][14]
Selected publications and media appearances
- Zekeng, L. (2023). "Leveraging communities’ leadership to end AIDS in Nigeria." The Guardian Nigeria.[15]
- "UNAIDS advocates equal access to HIV treatments, services." The Guardian Nigeria (11 July 2023).[2]
- UNAIDS feature: "Nigeria’s Monkeypox response gains from HIV experience." (24 August 2022).[1]
- “1.6 million Nigerians with HIV on Treatment – NACA.” *Premium Times*, 25 November 2024.[16]
- NewDawn Nigeria: "To end AIDS, protect everyone’s human rights." (1 Dec 2024).[14]
Remove ads
See also
References
External links
Wikiwand - on
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Remove ads