HIV/AIDS has a profound impact on the private sector in sub-Saharan Africa: It leads to absenteeism and a loss of qualified personnel, raises human resource costs and hampers economic investment. Together with companies in Africa, GIZ has developed HIV/AIDS workplace programmes to fight the epidemic. This cooperation operates in the form of public private partnerships (PPP). HIV activities at the workplace mean prevention, medical care and the creation of a non-discriminatory and supportive work environment.

AIDS interventions at the workplace are a success as the final evaluation of a three year cooperation with a German enterprise in South Africa has shown: 75 percent of the workforce decided to go to voluntary testing and counselling which was due to an intensive peer education programme at the production sites.

GIZ is increasingly working with business associations and business coalitions to make these success stories known to other companies. Within GIZ the regional project "AIDS Control in Companies in Africa (ACCA)" is responsible for advising business associations and companies on HIV/AIDS workplace interventions.