By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Coronavirus has infected 4.56 million and killed more than 120,000 in Africa since its outbreak in March last year and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is warning that the virus may push 30 million further into poverty.
The IMF has urged rich nations to help Africa get better access to vaccines, estimating that some African countries – aiming to vaccinate 60 per cent of their populations – will need to increase their health spending by 50 per cent.
Last year, economies in sub-Saharan Africa contracted by almost 2 per cent, the worst year on record, as pandemic lockdowns hurt businesses – from market-stall holders to tourist resorts and multinationals.
Having a young population seems to have helped protect the continent from the coronavirus, according to the BBC, but it adds that with Africa’s population growing so fast, vast numbers of young people need work.
The IMF estimates that African economies will recover this year with a growth spurt of 3.4 per cent, although all other regions in the world are expected to experience greater economic growth.
$100 billion required for safety net
Covid death rates in Africa are lower than those in other regions of the world, especially Europe and the Americas.
However, the UN Economic Commission for Africa – which last year warned 300,000 could die on the continent – has called for a $100 billion safety net for the continent, including halting external debt payments.
Back last year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said the virus appeared to be spreading away from African capitals and also highlighted that the continent lacked ventilators to deal with a pandemic.
Per BBC reporting, more than a third of Africa’s population lacks access to adequate water supplies and nearly 60 per cent of urban dwellers live in overcrowded slums – conditions where the virus could thrive.
Situation across Africa
There are 4.56 million confirmed cases and more than 120,000 confirmed deaths across the continent, which has a population of about 1.3 billion.
According to figures compiled by statista.com, total coronavirus deaths in Africa reached 121,111 as of April 27, 2021.
South Africa has the highest casualties of 54,237 or 44.8 per cent of the total, followed by Egypt with 13,168 deaths or 10.9 per cent, and Tunisia 10,444 deaths or 8.6 per cent.
Other countries with more than 2,000 deaths are Morocco (9,005), Ethiopia (3,605), Algeria (3,225), Libya (3,010), Kenya (2,665), Sudan (2,349), and Nigeria (2,065).
Comparison with Europe and the US
WHO Africa Director Matshidiso Moeti told the BBC in April 2020 that international travel played a part in spreading the virus.
“If you look at the proportion of people who travel, Africa has fewer people who are travelling internationally,” she said.
But now that the virus is within Africa, she said the WHO is acting under the assumption that it will spread just as quickly as elsewhere.
