News & Analysis: Economic impact
“95% of Covid-19 cases are reported in urban areas. That puts cities on the frontlines of a global public health crisis that is widening the gap between those with the comfort and safety of a home and those forced to leave their homes behind.”
“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.”
“Chad and several other countries are already in deep debt distress and more will join their ranks this year, given the severity of the global recession triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, World Bank Group President David Malpass said.”
“Excessive borrowing prior to the pandemic pushed countries closer to the debt ceiling with debt-to-GDP ratios now exceeding 50 percent. This leaves little room for external borrowing as the year starts.”
“All business operations, including restaurants, shops, markets and malls, will, effective January 5, close operations at 6:00 PM, as part of efforts to slow the spread of new COVID-19 infections in the country. “
Ladé Araba, Managing Director for Africa at Convergence, talks to COVID-19 Africa Watch about blended finance’s potential role in building back after the pandemic, the core policy priorities, and her views on leadership.
“Recent events show that Africa’s dependence on external sources of finance is no longer sustainable. It is time for the continent to develop its own lending institutions.”
COVID-19 Africa Watch talks to Julie Gichuru about the Mastercard Foundation’s response to COVID-19 in Africa.
“The International Monetary Fund provided additional financial assistance of $48.86 million to the Republic of Liberia under a program launched at the end of last year.”
“In South Africa, women have suffered severe economic and social impacts from the lockdown that was imposed to curb the spread of the virus.”
A hub for information, analysis, and the global response to COVID-19’s impact on Africa