How COVID-19 has Affected Africa's Development. (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kinyondo, Abel; Pelizzo, Riccardo
• Is Part Of: World affairs. Volume 184:Number 1(2021)
• Page Start: 57
• Page End: 76
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: Africa -- COVID-19 -- Coronavirus -- Pandemic -- International Organizations -- African Economies -- Slowdown; África -- COVID-19 -- Coronavirus -- Pandemia -- Organizaciones internacionales -- Economías africanas -- Desaceleración; 非洲 -- 新冠肺炎（COVID-19） -- 新冠病毒 -- 大流行 -- 国际组织 -- 非洲经济 -- 经济放缓; International relations -- Periodicals; Peace -- Periodicals; Arbitration (International law) -- Periodicals; United States -- Foreign relations -- Periodicals; Arbitration (International law); International relations; Peace; United states; Foreign relations; Internationale politiek; Periodicals; 327.05
• DOI: 10.1177/0043820021989681
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0043-8200

Abstract

Africa has experienced over a decade of sustained economic growth. However, since the outbreak of Ebola, there have been pertinent questions as to whether and what extent such outbreaks have developmental implications in the continent. It is in this context that this article investigates whether and to what extent the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic affects the development of Africa's economies. Using data from various international organizations, we show that the pandemic has indeed slowed down African economies, albeit in differing degrees across various regions of the continent. However, the slowdown is moderate compared with economies in high-income countries and the world economies as a whole. We contend that while it is difficult to predict when the crisis is going to end, the continent can navigate itself out of it by leveraging on the ever-increasing global prices of agricultural products and natural resources.