Leopold Zekeng

Leopold Achengui Zekeng
Leopold Achengui Zekeng, 2025
Born (1959-06-04) June 4, 1959
Dschang, Western Region, Cameroon
NationalityCameroonian
EducationCheick Anta Diop University, Dakar Senegal, Pasteur Institute of Lille, France
Occupation(s)Microbiologist, Immunologist, global health advocate, Executive coach, team coach, organization, design and development (ODD) author
Years active1986–present
Known forHIV research, public health leadership, Country Director of UNAIDS Nigeria
SpouseStela Zekeng
Children3

Leopold Achengui Zekeng (born in Dschang, Western Region, Cameroon on 4 June 1959) is an 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.

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.

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.

Scientific contributions

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

Major Groups of HIV-1
Group Origin Geographic Distribution Notable Discoveries
M (Major) Central Africa (chimpanzee origin) Global pandemic strain Responsible for >90% of global HIV cases
O (Outlier) Cameroon (gorilla origin) West Central Africa Includes MVP-5180, discovered by Zekeng et al.
N (Non-M, Non-O) Cameroon Extremely rare Fewer than 20 known cases
P Cameroon Extremely rare Closely related to gorilla SIV

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]

UNAIDS Country Leadership

Leopold Zekeng has served as the UNAIDS Country Director or held an equivalent leadership role in five countries:

UNAIDS Country Director Roles
Country Years Position Reference
Sierra Leone 2005–2007 Country Coordinator/Director [8]
Liberia 2005–2007 Country Director [8]
Ghana 2007–2012 Country Director [9]
Tanzania 2017–2022 Country Director [8]
Nigeria 2022–present Country Director [10]

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]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "UNAIDS Country Director in Nigeria shares how lessons from the AIDS response apply to the Monkeypox response | UNAIDS". www.unaids.org.
  2. ^ a b c Nigeria, Guardian (July 11, 2023). "UNAIDS advocates equal access to HIV treatments, services".
  3. ^ Zekeng, L; Gürtler, L; Kaptué, L (1994). "Genetic and antigenic analysis of a divergent HIV-1 isolate: MVP5180 from Cameroon". AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses. 10 (10): 1239–1241. doi:10.1089/aid.1994.10.1239.
  4. ^ De Leys, R (2000). "A new HIV-1 group N from Cameroon". Nature Medicine. 6: 932–937. doi:10.1038/79639.
  5. ^ "Leveraging communities' leadership to end AIDS in Nigeria". The Guardian Nigeria. Guardian Newspapers. November 27, 2023. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
  6. ^ "UNAIDS acknowledges Nigeria's progress in HIV response". July 6, 2023.
  7. ^ "NACA Strengthens Partnership with UNAIDS to Advance National HIV/AIDS Response - NACA Nigeria". naca.gov.ng. March 26, 2024.
  8. ^ a b c "UN Nigeria Country Team – Dr. Leopold Zekeng". United Nations Nigeria. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
  9. ^ "Ghana yet to adopt HIV-specific law – UNAIDS". Ghana Business News. 20 March 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
  10. ^ "UNAIDS supports Nigeria's response to monkeypox". UNAIDS. 24 August 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
  11. ^ Agberebi, James (December 2, 2024). "UN applauds Nigeria's strides against HIV/AIDS".
  12. ^ Azeez, Kareem (March 4, 2025). "Nigeria joins global partnership to eliminate HIV, AIDS discrimination".
  13. ^ "Lessons from AIDS response applicable to Monkeypox — UNAIDS". August 25, 2022.
  14. ^ a b ""To end AIDS, protect everyone's human rights" - By Dr Leopold Zekeng (UNAIDS,". New Dawn Nigeria. December 1, 2024.
  15. ^ "Leveraging communities' leadership to end AIDS in Nigeria". The Guardian Nigeria. Guardian Newspapers. November 27, 2023. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
  16. ^ Adebowale‑Tambe, Nike (25 November 2024). "1.6 million Nigerians with HIV on Treatment – NACA". Premium Times. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
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