4IR and digital transition Archives | COVID-19 Africa Watch

Countering COVID-19 Misinformation in Africa

July 23, 2021 Analysis and Opinion Think Global Health Article/Blog post by John Schellhase

“Beyond spotting viral misinformation and disinformation, it is essential to provide content that works to counter these rumors and to spread trustworthy information.”

State Minister Yasmin Wohabrebbi: Ethiopia’s Prospects and Priorities for Economic Recovery

June 2, 2021 African Voices on COVID-19's Impact / Interview Series Ethiopia COVID-19 Africa Watch Video by Milken Institute staff

COVID-19 Africa Watch talks to State Minister Yasmin Wohabrebbi about the policy response to the pandemic, the efforts to develop the digital economy, and the G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI).

Lessons from COVID-19: What Shouldn’t Stop After the Pandemic

May 21, 2021 African Voices on COVID-19's Impact / On-the-Ground Reporting and Analysis Kenya COVID HQ Africa Op-ed by Zindzi Kibiku

“We can count how many amazing things COVID-19 took away from us, and we can also choose to see what COVID-19 has done for us.”

The more Africans do business online, the more they hate internet shutdowns

May 10, 2021 Analysis and Opinion Quartz Africa Article/Blog post by Milken Institute staff

“If African populations are skeptical now of limits on digital media, that opposition might grow as more enter the digital space for commerce, work, education, entertainment and social communications. Shutdowns will generate not only higher economic costs, but likely greater public outrage as well.”

Nigeria: COVID-19 pushed insurers towards digitalisation

May 3, 2021 Analysis and Opinion Nigeria The Africa Report Article/Blog post by Milken Institute staff

“COVID-19 has slowed the Nigerian government’s plan to have insurers raise their capital, but it is pushing the sluggish sector towards adopting more technology and innovation.”

Egypt Vows to Boost Private Sector Growth in New Economic Plan

April 27, 2021 Latest Developments Egypt Bloomberg Article/Blog post by Milken Institute staff

“Egypt’s government said it was going to focus on boosting private sector growth, increasing exports and accelerating the digitization of the economy, as it outlined a three-year structural reform plan key to helping overcome the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.”

Hustle at the Border for Zimbabwean Traders

April 7, 2021 African Voices on COVID-19's Impact Zimbabwe COVID HQ Africa Article/Blog post by COVID HQ Africa

On top of missed income opportunities caused by the freeze of productive activities, many women traders in Zimbabwe suffered economic losses from goods that have remained unsold and, in many cases, gone to waste because of their perishable nature.

Interview with Dr. Samira Asma: Using Data for Pandemic Preparedness and Response

March 5, 2021 Analysis and Opinion / Interview Series COVID-19 Africa Watch Video by Milken Institute staff

COVID-19 Africa Watch talks to Dr. Samira Asma, WHO Assistant Director-General for Data, Analytics and Delivery for Impact about the importance of data in preparing for and responding to health crises.

Zipline begins world’s first ever drone delivery of covid-19 vaccines in Ghana

March 2, 2021 Latest Developments Ghana BFT Online Article/Blog post by Milken Institute staff

“Nearly half of Ghana’s population lives outside of cities, and those 12 million people are difficult to reach with time-limited, cold chain-dependent vaccines. Zipline’s network provides Ghana with a resilient, efficient and equitable distribution strategy.”

Post-COVID-19 Economic Recovery: Can Technology Alone Lift African Economies?

March 1, 2021 Analysis and Opinion Angola / Nigeria / South Africa COVID-19 Africa Watch Article/Blog post by Danny Leipziger

Professor Danny Leipziger of George Washington University discusses the role of technology in shaping the future of Sub-Saharan Africa after the COVID-19 pandemic.