The Coalition to build Momentum, Power, Activism, Strategy and Solidarity (COMPASS) in Africa was launched in 2017 to use data-informed, transnational activism to increase civil society impact on health and HIV related policies, budgets, programs and participatory engagement approaches between government, funders, implementers and people living with HIV and their allies. This innovative and audacious collaboration of 27 civil society organizations working in the global North and in East and Southern Africa is about strengthening country-level coalitions to play a decisive role in improving the HIV response in key countries (Malawi, Tanzania and Zimbabwe) and in the region. Over the years, COMPASS has established engagement with respective national governments, bilateral and multilateral donors to improve HIV service delivery, promote investments and effective utilization of domestic resources, champion for increases in overseas development assistance for HIV and advocate for the removal of structural barriers to health, HIV and sexual and reproductive health services.