We outline the role of African Civil Society in safeguarding gains registered to date in the sexual and reproductive health and HIV response. We make a case why civil society organizations (CSOs) must vigilantly be engaged in the COVID-19 response in Africa. Lockdown disruptions, and rerouting of health funds to the pandemic, have impeded access to essential Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH), and social protection services. Compounded by pre-existing inequalities faced by vulnerable populations, poor SRH outcomes amid COVID-19 calls for CSOs’ intensified demand on accountability of Governments. CSOs also rapidly close community-health facility gaps and provide safety-nets to mitigate the COVID-19 gendered impact.