Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women worldwide. Up to 70% of cervical cancer cases are attributable to human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes 16 and 18. Two prophylactic HPV vaccines are now available that have high efficacy against incident and persistent HPV-16/18 infections and associated cytological abnormalities. However, HPV vaccines have not yet been tested in Africa. Two sites in Africa, Mwanza in Tanzania and Dakar in Senegal, are participating in a multicentre immunogenicity and safety trial of GSK Biologicals’ bivalent HPV vaccine in young girls.