Published: July 15, 2021
Afreximbank’s chief economist, Hippolyte Fofack, argues that Africa is well positioned for a strong recovery, but that economic diversification will be key.
By some metrics, the African region has fared well during the Covid-19 pandemic. As of June 2021, the continent has registered around 4.8 million cases and 130,000 deaths, which is still a galling total, but fewer than most other regions. As of the middle of this year, globally, Africa has recorded just 2.9% of all Covid-19 cases and 3.7% of related deaths, despite accounting for 17% of the world’s population.
Unfortunately, however, the so-called Delta variant is beginning to take hold and challenge many African countries’ responses and health care system’s capabilities to manage the pandemic.