m2m launched direct services in Nigeria in July—bringing our countries of operation to 11, including two now in West Africa. Our team of 45 Mentor Mothers started delivering services in 26 sites located around the country’s capital, Abuja, with a focus on integrated primary health care services for children living with, or exposed to, HIV as well as their caregivers. Additionally, m2m is working with government agencies and other stakeholders to help build a more robust and sustainable health system. Nigeria faces significant public health challenges—including a 23% mother-to-child HIV transmission rate in 2023² and maternal and child mortality rates that are among the highest in the world. We’re excited to say sannu (hello) to Nigeria and begin making a difference in this vibrant country.

m2m continued to expand our scope beyond HIV this year, in line with our strategic goal to provide integrated primary health care services to both end HIV and tackle life-threatening health issues that disproportionately affect those living with HIV. That included expanding our work on TB—the main cause of death among people living with HIV—with our first-ever TB-focused programme to improve awareness, testing, and treatment of TB in South Africa.  

“I wish there was someone like me when I was their age. Someone I could ask questions and talk to about my health,” shared Jessie Mzemba, m2m Mentor Mother from Malawi, in a powerful interview. m2m was proud to see our work promoting the uptake of human papillomavirus vaccine to prevent cervical cancer in Malawi featured in The Guardian earlier this year. With the risk of cervical cancer up to six times higher for women living with HIV, creating demand for the vaccine is critical in Malawi—which has among the highest rates of HIV and deaths from cervical cancer. That is why the work of m2m Peer Mentors like Jessie Mzemba is so important

In 2024, we saw strong growth across all key areas. The number of new clients increased by 48% (reaching a total 824,137 women, children, and families), we expanded into a new country, and both our service sites and frontline teams grew significantly. This progress was driven by expanding our programmes, securing major multi-year funding, and introducing new services—especially in Zambia, Lesotho, and Nigeria.

In 2024, we delivered strong results across our client cohort. We met or exceeded UNAIDS’ 95-95-95 targets⁴—except for the first 95 on HIV testing, where 92% of our clients knew their status—while maintaining high viral suppression, ensuring infants were tested and followed up, and keeping clients engaged in care. These results were made possible by our skilled community health workers, strong partnerships with health facilities, trusted relationships within communities, and close monitoring of each client.

m2m was also out in full force at the 2024 International AIDS Conference in Munich, Germany, in July—amplifying frontline voices; challenging stereotypes through art; and speaking in multiple sessions. We also hosted a satellite session, Radical Honesty and Bold Solutions to End AIDS, with support from Gilead Sciences, Inc., moderated by Christine Stegling, Deputy Executive Director at UNAIDS. The key takeaway: Building a more inclusive, innovative, and compassionate global HIV response by putting people first is essential. m2m Lesotho Country Director, Mpolokeng Mohloai, said it best: “There’s no such thing as hard-to-reach people… only hard-to-get services.”  

As well as serving our clients directly, we strengthen health systems by advising governments and key partners. Among the highlights: We were proud to be invited by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention to serve on the Continental Coordination Mechanism for CHWs, with a mandate to advise on the development of policy, guidelines, and standard operating procedures for initiatives across African Union (AU) member states. This is in support of the AU’s target of deploying two million more CHWs by 2030. We also partnered with national and sub-national governments in six countries to strengthen health systems in key service areas, including HIV, maternal health, and immunisation.