Mapping the long road to recovery
“A lack of reliable data about caseloads and causes of the death, even changes in the death rates, has led to sharp policy changes. Some countries are shutting down again, some are reopening.”
South Sudan: Economy running on fumes
Analysis and Opinion South Sudan Africa Confidential Article/Blog post by John Schellhase“South Sudan’s economy is dead on its feet. Falling oil prices have squeezed government revenues, sending hard currency reserves tumbling and inflation soaring. Political stability may now rest on the ability of leaders to maintain discipline in their ranks and confidence in each other, as the financial bargain at the heart of the 2018 peace agreement comes under pressure.”
Creditors fume as the beat goes on
Analysis and Opinion Zambia Africa Confidential Article/Blog post by John Schellhase“After the default, the bondholders and Chinese creditors are jostling for priority but secrecy and local politics are blocking a credible solution.”
Morocco: Unrest simmers over economy and COVID-19
Analysis and Opinion Morocco Africa Confidential Article/Blog post by John Schellhase“Tempers are rising over COVID-19 and ahead of elections in 2021, while concern grows about King Mohammed VI’s health.”
Zambia: New debt demand as bondholders defer decision
Latest Developments Zambia Africa Confidential Article/Blog post by John Schellhase“A local company goes to court to recover $300m from the state power utility as bondholders postpone a vote on the government’s request for debt relief”
Paths out of the pandemic
Analysis and Opinion Africa Confidential Article/Blog post by John Schellhase“Dire predictions of the toll in Africa from COVID-19 were overblown but disinformation is threatening public health initiatives.”
Buhari goes to the market
Latest Developments Nigeria Africa Confidential Article/Blog post by John Schellhase“The pandemic has forced the government to end subsidies and move towards cost-reflective electricity pricing – and risk the fallout.”
Default hits election plan (Zambia)
Latest Developments Zambia Africa Confidential Article/Blog post by John Schellhase“The de facto default on Eurobond payments is getting in the way of a plan by the ruling party to create a slush fund for its next election campaign.”
First the good news…
Analysis and Opinion Africa Confidential Article/Blog post by John Schellhase“As Africa cautiously welcomes the positive news that it looks like it will escape the worst ravages of COVID-19 infections, it is also having to deal with the fallout of several revelations of corruption among officials in their handling of COVID-19 funds.”
Time to re-open
Analysis and Opinion Africa Confidential Op-ed by John Schellhase“While retaining measures to protect public health wherever possible, the priority is now shifting to opening up economies again. One major pointer towards a return towards normality is that international flights are restarting. While fraught with possible danger, it marks the point where the era of waiting and seeing what Covid-19 will do ends, and the living with the virus stage commences.”
A hub for information, analysis, and the global response to COVID-19’s impact on Africa