ACHAP launched in 2000 with four objectives:

• To improve accessibility to comprehensive HIV prevention, care and support
• To improve access to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in the public sector for all people living with HIV/AIDS in the public sector
• To strengthen sustainable improvement in healthcare systems and mitigate the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic
• To support NACA in performing a thorough needs assessment in HIV/AIDS prevention and care in all districts in Botswana

In the first four years, the program was delivered through national initiatives, in line with the above objectives, and through an invitation of proposals from a variety of organizations, including tertiary institutions, and research and civil society organizations, in line with the program goals. In 2005, a strategic plan was developed with the following six strategic objectives:

• To scale-up the quality of–and access to–comprehensive HIV prevention services
• To expand HIV counseling and testing capacity
• To increase coverage of quality HIV/AIDS treatment services to all eligible people
• To increase the capacity of communities to utilize and provide HIV/AIDS services
• To improve ACHAP's institutional capacity to deliver effectively on its strategic objectives
• To strengthen partnerships and build capacity to support the sustainability of the national response

In 2007, ACHAP expanded its support to target coinfection of HIV and tuberculosis (TB). HIV infection has fueled an explosive increase in TB cases in Botswana since the early 1990s. In fact, it is estimated that 65-85 percent of TB patients are HIV-positive, and HIV-related TB is the leading cause of death among adult AIDS patients.

One of the strengths of ACHAP has been its full integration with government strategy, as well as its ability to harness private-sector expertise in support of national efforts to address HIV/AIDS. All ACHAP programs are developed through extensive consultation with all relevant government ministries. Partnership programs must build local capacity, demonstrate a measurable impact on the epidemic, be cost-effective, be appropriate to the setting in which they are delivered, and be sustainable beyond the life of the partnership. All programs were required to fit within the strategic goals of the Government of Botswana's National Strategic Framework (NSF) for HIV/AIDS 2003-2009.