Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Africa: Current Burden, Clinical Challenges, Gaps and Perspectives Toward Elimination

One of the main objectives of the WHO is the elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030 (with targets of a 90% reduction in new infections and a 65% reduction in mortality). Globally, an estimated 50 million people are infected with HCV. Several reports demonstrate that the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced HCV diagnoses and treatments in most countries, with few countries on track to meet the 2030 HCV elimination targets, underscoring the need to scale up interventions to achieve viral hepatitis elimination. Based on these premises, this review evaluates the burden of HCV infection in Africa, disparities among population groups, and clinical outcomes observed over the past four years, based on a comprehensive search of the Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and African Index Medicus databases from 1 May 2022 to 1 May 2026. Recent studies are concentrated in a limited number of countries, while in many others, they appear to be confined to blood donors and specific clinical populations. The findings of clinical epidemiology studies show that chronic HCV infection continues to be a cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality in Africa, with notable differences across regions. A heavier disease burden appears in high‑risk groups, such as people with HIV infection, people who practice high‑risk sexual behaviours and people who inject drugs. These findings confirm the need to focus on interventions by policymakers and clinicians, including barrier reduction, screening, prevention, and linkage to care for at‑risk populations to reduce HCV transmission and its effects.