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<p>Tens of thousands of perishable products in Sub-Saharan Africa are lost mainly due the lack of reliable and adequate cold storage facilities and now with the disruption of supply chains and trade caused by COVID-19; the losses are expected to be even bigger. CNBC Africa spoke to Professor Nuhu Hatibu, Regional Head for East Africa at AGRA for more.</p>


Lack of reliable cold chain infrastructure

Lack of reliable cold chain infrastructure, COVID-19 worsen post-harvest losses in SSA

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<p>Now more than ever, the public and private sectors need to work hand in hand to not only curb the spread of COVID-19 but to also ensure a bounce back of economies globally after the pandemic, but how practical is this? Joining CNBC Africa for this discussion are Siddharth Chatterje, UN Resident Coordinator in Kenya, Paul Polman, Chairman of the International Chambers of Commerce and former CEO of Unilever and Myriam Assa Sidibe, Senior Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School &#038; Co-Founder of Global Handwashing Day&#8230;.</p>


Flattening the COVID-19 Curve: How multilateralism & PPPs can tackle pandemics

Flattening the COVID-19 Curve: How multilateralism & PPPs can tackle pandemics, lift economies

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<p>Prices and demand for oil have been seeing a dramatic decline globally, so what does this mean for a country whose economy depends on the commodity? And how does that factor into South Sudan’s budget allocations pertaining to the nation’s fight against COVID-19. Africa Political and Economic Affairs Analyst, Akol Dok joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


How South Sudan is responding to the economic shock of COVID-19

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<p>South Africa&#8217;s President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his capacity as AU chair, recently chaired a virtual summit of the continental block in light of developments around COVID-19.</p>


How the AU plans to cushion Africa from COVID-19 crisis

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<p>What happens when a global pandemic causes an entire nation to go under total lock down in the midst of a school year? As some nations are trying to repatriate their students abroad during these uncertain times, what&#8217;s the reality like for the hundreds of thousands of students on the continent trying to achieve their higher learning ambitions; and, for the institutions responsible for them? CBC Africa spoke to the Dean of the African Leadership University, Gaidi Faraj for more.</p>


How tertiary institutions in Africa are coping with COVID-19

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<p>As a result of the measures put in place by the government to control the spread of coronavirus, start-up companies are part of the groups that have been most affected. CNBC Africa spoke to the Senior Program Officer at Segal Family Foundation, Liana Nzabampema to find out more about how start-ups are being affected by the coronavirus outbreak and how Segal Family Foundation is supporting start-ups.</p>


How start-up companies are navigating the COVID-19 environment


<p><em>By Siddharth Chatterjee</em></p>



<p>Sexual and reproductive health and pandemics might seem to be unrelated topics, but large and dense populations are drivers of the high velocity transmission of COVID-19, and there are lessons to be learned for the future.</p>



<p>Gains made in women’s sexual reproductive health and rights just took several steps backward in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Access to contraceptives has been interrupted, resulting in an increase in unintended pregnancies. With schools closed, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and child marriages are rising. Globally gender-based violence has risen exponentially, as people are advised or required to stay home, and women and girls may not be able to leave an unsafe or violent situation.</p>



<p>The United Nations Population Fund(UNFPA) Executive Director, <a href="https://www.unfpa.org/press/women-girls-health-workers-must-not-be-overlooked-global-covid-19-response">Natalia Kanem</a> has said, “the world needs to do much more to ensure that the most intimate, yet essential, needs of the world’s women and girls are met while we battle COVID-19.”</p>



<p>Among the chief immediate concerns is severely reduced access to sexual and reproductive healthcare while the pandemic rages on. But diminished women’s rights and services have even greater long-term implications for the outbreak and spread of future epidemics.</p>



<p>Africa has yet to see the devastation from COVID-19 that most developed countries are facing in terms of infections and deaths, but the virus is already wreaking havoc on the livelihoods of millions on the continent. With travel bans, curfews and lockdowns, for countless who depend on daily wages and small informal businesses, are facing hunger and destitution. Unlike richer nations, most African countries have little wriggle room in their budgets to afford meaningful stimulus packages and have social safety nets.</p>



<p>Some forecasts suggest that in the absence of a considerable fiscal stimulus, COVID-19 could see Africa’s GDP decline by <a href="https://www.brookings.edu/blog/africa-in-focus/2020/04/16/figures-of-the-week-the-macroeconomic-impact-of-covid-19-in-africa/">over 5% in 2020</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>So how can the world–and the African continent in particular–better prepare itself for the next pandemic?</strong></h2>



<p>A good place to start is with the root of recent pandemics. Zoonosis is the transmission of a disease from animals to human. COVID-19, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) are all coronaviruses, and all originated in bats, which are a natural reservoir for viruses.</p>



<p>Such jumps from animals to humans are on the rise for reasons that include unhygienic and close proximity to animals, bush meat consumption, wet markets and–crucially–human encroachment into wilderness and wildlife habitats.</p>



<p>One of the main drivers of such encroachment is the exponential population growth.</p>



<p>We are exploiting forests at a calamitous rate, eating away into the traditional buffer zones that once separated humans from animals, and from the pathogens that they carry. Forest destruction also drives climate change and soil erosion. In turn, growing urbanization means higher population densities, providing a ready route for the rapid and extensive spread of disease.</p>



<p>Long-term preparation must begin with the acknowledgment that runaway population growth is a driver of modern pandemics.</p>



<p>UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres observed on the <a href="https://www.unfpa.org/press/secretary-generals-message-world-population-day">2019 World Population Day</a>, “for many of the least developed countries, the challenges to sustainable development are compounded by rapid population growth as well as vulnerability to climate change.”</p>



<p>Most African health systems operate in a constant state of struggle and crisis. There is <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/middle-east-and-africa/tackling-covid-19-in-africa">only one doctor for every 1,000 people in Africa</a>, and each must serve overwhelmingly young, poor and unemployed patient populations.</p>



<p>Family planning and sexual health services are only patchily available, and cultural pressures mean girls and women may find it difficult to access them even where they exist. Too often the result is large families living in poverty and ill-health, and a worrying predominance of early pregnancy.</p>



<p>Africa is the most rapidly urbanizing region in the world, with 50-70% of urban dwellers living in slums. Uncontrolled population growth, crowded and unhygienic conditions, and destruction of natural ecosystems combine to create a perfect storm for the next pandemic, whose speed, scale and virulence may well surpass COVID 19.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Urgent action needed now</strong></h2>



<p>In such circumstances there is a central need for bold global leadership. That is why policymakers, led by the US, must reconsider the Mexico City policy, often known as the <a href="https://www.kff.org/global-health-policy/fact-sheet/mexico-city-policy-explainer/">global gag rule</a>. The recently expanded global gag rule now applies not only to comprehensive sexual and reproductive healthcare and safe abortion, but also to programmes that include HIV, water, sanitation and hygiene.</p>



<p>In Kenya we are already seeing the domino effect of the global gag rule <a href="https://news.trust.org/item/20190306133032-t3xz2">with increased teenage pregnancies and a spike in unsafe abortions</a>. Almost <a href="https://www.un.org/youthenvoy/2017/03/teen-mothers-kenya-become-powerful-advocates-change/">one in five girls aged 15-19</a> is either pregnant or already has a baby. Adolescent girls in the worst affected parts of Kenya have lost their ability to make informed choices. &nbsp;It is a crisis of health, education and opportunity, made far worse by COVID 19.</p>



<p>It should concern all leaders that reduced resources for such programmes have led to more poor women suffering the effects of unplanned pregnancies, contributed to higher rates of maternal mortality and to an increase in unsafe abortions. Goals for programmes such as the <a href="http://www.familyplanning2020.org/about-us">Family Planning 2020</a>(FP 2020) launched by Melinda Gates, which includes giving 120 million more women and girls access to contraceptives by 2020, will remain unfulfilled as the deadline approaches. FP2020 is based on the principle that&nbsp;all women, no matter where they live, should have&nbsp;access to lifesaving contraceptives.</p>



<p>Today, Africa has the world’s highest fertility rates. On average, women in <a href="https://www.newsecuritybeat.org/2016/04/changing-narrative-fertility-decline-africa/">sub-Saharan Africa have about five childrenover their reproductive lifetime</a>, compared to a global average of <strong>2.5 children</strong>. Africa’s population is expected to grow from the current 1.1 billion to 2.3 billion people by 2050 while the global population is expected to reach 10 billion at that time.</p>



<p>If Africa accelerates structural reforms, some believe the continent can emulate China’s rapid rise of the last 50 years. <a href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/02/africa-global-growth-economics-worldwide-gdp/">McKinsey predicts $5.6 trillion in African business opportunities by 2025.</a> If Africa succeeds, it could be a poster child for Sustainable Development Goal 1-ending poverty by 2030, as well as become a stable and prosperous economic partner for the rest of the world.</p>



<p>At the top of the reforms must be safeguarding the primacy of reproductive health and rights. With a median age of 19 years, for Africa to benefit from the <a href="https://demographicdividend.org/">demographic dividend</a> its youthful population could offer, family sizes must fall drastically. Smaller households link directly to improved health, education and living standards, which in turn translate into investment, employment, and economic growth. This can only happen if programmes that increase access to family planning are widely available.</p>



<p>We must look at strategies to stabilize the global population with renewed urgency. Political and religious, globally must show courage, responsibility and vision through a robust commitment to ensuring that every person, everywhere, has access to affordable contraception and is able to exercise their sexual and reproductive rights.</p>



<p>To help stave off the havoc of the next pandemic, the world must unite behind UNFPA’s mission “to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.”</p>



<p><strong><em>Siddharth Chatterjee is the United Nations Resident Coordinator to Kenya. </em></strong><strong><em>He has served in various parts of the world with UNFPA, UNICEF, UNDP, UNOPS, UN Peacekeeping and the Red Cross Movement. A decorated Special Forces veteran, he is an alumnus of Princeton University. Follow him on twitter-</em></strong><a href="https://twitter.com/sidchat1?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor"><strong><em>@sidchat1</em></strong></a><strong></strong></p>


A pregnant woman in Kenya’s North Eastern Province with one of her children. Overpopulation in the area contributes to poor maternal health. Credit: Isaiah Esipisu/IPS

Why reproductive rights must be a critical part of our arsenal to fight pandemics

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<p>The COVID-19 epidemic is crippling the tourism industry and leaving many tour guides without a job. CNBC Africa spoke to Pamela Giramata Gasana, a tour guide on how the pandemic has affected her career.</p>


Tour guides bear the brunt of COVID-19 as tourism industry grinds to a halt

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<p>As the COVID-19 pandemic sweeps across the continent, the agriculture industry supply chain is stepping up to keep employees and consumers safe while still providing vital services, commodities and food. Closures of restaurants and less frequent grocery shopping diminish demand for fresh produce, affecting producers and suppliers, especially smallholder farmers. The agriculture sector in Rwanda employs 80 per cent of Rwandans and contributes 33 per cent to the country’s GDP. On this CNBC Africa Special we speak to leaders in agriculture on the impact COVID-19 has had so far, and what plans the government and private sector have put in place to soften the impact the virus will have on the industry&#8230;.</p>


The Impact of COVID-19 on the Rwanda’s agriculture sector

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<p>The African Women&#8217;s Entrepreneurship Program was designed to assist women across Sub-Saharan Africa who are transforming their societies through economic development and social advocacy, by running their small and medium enterprises; but now that many SMEs have been forced to temporarily suspend their activities, how have they been able to provide support? CNBC Africa spoke to the Chairperson for the Rwanda Chapter of the AWEP, Gloria Kamanzi for more.</p>


How women entrepreneurs are coming together during COVID-19 isolation

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<p>Yesterday evening the National Assembly of Kenya passed some key amendments in support of the Government&#8217;s efforts to cushion the economy and Kenyans against the damaging effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Journalist Joseph Bonyo joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


Kenya’s parliament passes amendments to cushion Kenyans against COVID-19

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<p>In our day to day life, social media platforms have become integral.</p>


Rwanda’s Digital Commemoration: How social media can be used as a tool for healing

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<p>Kenya&#8217;s coffee sector received close to $14 million from World Bank, to boost the production of speciality coffee and link farmers to direct markets in order to eliminate the issue of cartels. Moreover, the Capital Markets Authority announced that it will allow listed companies on the Nairobi Securities Exchange to pay dividends without holding annual general meetings. Rodney Omukhulu, Assistant investments Analyst joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


Kenya receives $14mn World Bank support to boost coffee production

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<p>By tomorrow, the 24th of April, in response to the financial burden of the repercussions of COVID-19 pandemic, the Rwanda Revenue Authority will have disbursed FRw13 billion , around $13.5 million in V.A.T refunds to businesses. The move is one of several measures taken by the Government to protect businesses and SMEs from feeling the full brunt of the crisis, but what else can be done to soften the blow of these unprecedented times to Rwanda&#8217;s economy? CNBC Africa spoke to Economist, Professor Alfred Bizoza for more.</p>


Rwanda moves to protect the business community from COVID-19 shocks

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<p>The Government of Rwanda is monitoring the economic implications of the novel COVID-19 pandemic; designing and implementing interventions to cushion various sectors of the economy that could adversely be affected. In a bid to prevent an economic shock, the National Bank of Rwanda floated a liquidity support of $52.4 million for banks to be able to borrow at the Central Bank rate of 5 per cent. Moreover, it eased the normal bank loaning procedures for both commercial banks and its clients&#8230;.</p>


How Rwanda’s financial sector is reacting to the COVID-19 pandemic

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<p>The annual Ubumuntu Arts Festival would’ve this year been celebrating its 5th year in production. In response to the current COVID-19 crisis, it’s shifted from its usual home at the Kigali Genocide Memorial Amphitheatre, to an online live experience, to take place in mid-July. But the organisers of this event felt that there was a more immediate response needed to reach out to those who may be troubled or frightened in the face of an uncertain future. Founder, Hope Azeda joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


Annual Arts Festival goes digital amid the COVID-19 crisis

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<p>With news on the markets being dominated by the fall of oil prices, we take a look at what kind of impact this will have on East Africa&#8217;s biggest economy, Kenya. George Bodo, Director at Callstreet Research and Analytics Ltd joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


East Africa

Lack of reliable cold chain infrastructure, COVID-19 worsen post-harvest losses in SSA

Flattening the COVID-19 Curve: How multilateralism & PPPs can tackle pandemics, lift economies

How South Sudan is responding to the economic shock of COVID-19

How the AU plans to cushion Africa from COVID-19 crisis

How tertiary institutions in Africa are coping with COVID-19

How start-up companies are navigating the COVID-19 environment

Why reproductive rights must be a critical part of our arsenal to fight pandemics

Tour guides bear the brunt of COVID-19 as tourism industry grinds to a halt

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Rwanda’s agriculture sector

How women entrepreneurs are coming together during COVID-19 isolation

Kenya’s parliament passes amendments to cushion Kenyans against COVID-19

Rwanda’s Digital Commemoration: How social media can be used as a tool for healing

Kenya receives $14mn World Bank support to boost coffee production

Rwanda moves to protect the business community from COVID-19 shocks

How Rwanda’s financial sector is reacting to the COVID-19 pandemic

Annual Arts Festival goes digital amid the COVID-19 crisis

COVID-19: How the oil price crash impacts Kenya’s economy

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Advertise With Us

East Africa

Lack of reliable cold chain infrastructure, COVID-19 worsen post-harvest losses in SSA

Flattening the COVID-19 Curve: How multilateralism & PPPs can tackle pandemics, lift economies

How South Sudan is responding to the economic shock of COVID-19

How the AU plans to cushion Africa from COVID-19 crisis

How tertiary institutions in Africa are coping with COVID-19

How start-up companies are navigating the COVID-19 environment

Why reproductive rights must be a critical part of our arsenal to fight pandemics

Tour guides bear the brunt of COVID-19 as tourism industry grinds to a halt

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Rwanda’s agriculture sector

How women entrepreneurs are coming together during COVID-19 isolation

Kenya’s parliament passes amendments to cushion Kenyans against COVID-19

Rwanda’s Digital Commemoration: How social media can be used as a tool for healing

Kenya receives $14mn World Bank support to boost coffee production

Rwanda moves to protect the business community from COVID-19 shocks

How Rwanda’s financial sector is reacting to the COVID-19 pandemic

Annual Arts Festival goes digital amid the COVID-19 crisis

COVID-19: How the oil price crash impacts Kenya’s economy

News Tips

Advertise With Us

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