Webinar: African Economies after COVID-19


When:

18/5/2020

2:00 pm - 2:50 pm

Location:

Webinar via Zoom

Admission:

Free

Image Credit: Erin Johnson

 

The health impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Africa remains uncertain.  But it is already clear that the economic impact is massive.  The UNECA predicts African growth could fall from +3% to -3% in 2020, though much depends on the speed of recovery of the global economy.  But the collapse of world travel, drastic fall in world trade, and the local effects of national lockdowns run the risk of a dramatic increase in poverty and even a potential shortage of food for subsistence.

 

It is crucial in these circumstances to look now at the actions Africa needs to take to help it emerge from the crisis and reduce the risks of it happening again.  How should this experience impact on Africa’s future growth strategy?

 

There is an important role for Africa’s international partners to play on debt, lending, and aid, both to the health sector and more widely.  But what are the steps that African countries, and the continent as a whole, should be looking at to help recovery from Covid-19 and to accelerate growth in a world of limited investors and depressed markets?

 

Speakers:

Dr. Donald Kaberuka – AU Special Envoy and ex-President of AfDB

Arkebe Oqubay – Minister, Ethiopian PM’s Office

Razia Khan –  Chief Economist for Africa & the Middle East, Standard Chartered

Stephen Karingi – Director of Regional Integration and Trade Division, UNECA

Nanjala Nyabola – Political Analyst and Author

 

Chair: Dr. Nick Westcott, Director, The Royal African Society

 

Listen to the podcast here.