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<p>As we approach the fourth industrial revolution, Blockchain has been identified to have the potential to disrupt existing economic and business models. Despite this, unexpected patterns among the cryptocurrency traders have been sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic. Norbert Haguma, CEO AfricaGen spoke to CNBC Africa on how the pandemic is reshaping the crypto industry.</p>


How COVID-19 is reshaping the crypto industry

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<p>Trade in the East African community has been greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic with exports in the region declining by more than 60 per cent in the past two months according to the East Africa Business Council. Join this CNBC Africa panel of stakeholders and experts for more on this&#8230;.</p>


The economic impact of COVID-19 on trade in East Africa

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<p>At the end of the last decade investor appetite in alternative energy had picked up pace but just like most industries, this has been affected by the current COVID-19 pandemic. Amidst all this, could this be an opportunity for the industry? CNBC Africa spoke to James Carter, Lawyer at DLA Piper Global Law Firm for more.</p>


Is COVID-19 the opportunity for alternative energy?

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<p>Africa’s biggest supermarket chain, Shoprite Holdings recently announced it is closing one of its branches in Kenya and laying off over 100 workers due to a reduction of shoppers. Elsewhere, the International Finance Corporation is set to acquire a minority stake in retail chain Naivas International Limited for $15 million. For more updates in Kenya’s retail market and how it’s coping with the pandemic, CNBC Africa spoke to Ken Gichinga, Chief Economist at Mentoria Economics.</p>


The impact of COVID-19 on Kenya’s retail industry

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<p>A number of small businesses in Ethiopia are protesting the way Facebook is handling their business pages with some being pulled down from the social media site.</p>


Outcry as small businesses in Ethiopia have their pages pulled down by Facebook

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<p>Yesterday the price of West Texas Intermediate Crude fell below zero for the first time in history, meaning the sellers were ultimately paying buyers to take the oil. The COVID-19 pandemic has cut global oil demand by almost a third, and now it shows in the US oil market, but what does this all mean for Africa? International Relations Expert, Emery Nzirabatinya joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


COVID-19: What the oil price crash means for African economies

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<p>The G20 recently agreed to suspend debt service payments for the world’s poorest countries to support them in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Economic Analyst, Ted Kaberuka joins CNBC Africa to discuss this measure that will be effective on May 1.</p>


COVID-19: What the G20 debt relief agreement means for Africa


<p>A cabinet meeting, held via video conference and chaired by Rwandan President Paul Kagame, has resolved to extend the country’s existing <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/east-africa/2020/04/15/rwandan-frank-nsonga-on-how-he-battled-covid-19-and-won/">COVID-19</a> lockdown for another eleven days, meaning it will now end on 30 April.</p>



<p>This is the second time the government has extended the <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/east-africa/2020/04/09/im-bank-rwanda-reduces-interest-rates-by-0-5-to-cushion-customers-from-covid-19/">lockdown period</a>.</p>



<p>For more coverage on COVID-19 visit: <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/">https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/</a></p>



<p>The following statement provides more details:</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="721" height="1024" src="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG-20200420-WA0000-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-368469" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG-20200420-WA0000-1.jpg 721w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG-20200420-WA0000-1-211x300.jpg 211w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG-20200420-WA0000-1-696x988.jpg 696w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 721px) 100vw, 721px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="743" height="1024" src="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG-20200420-WA0001-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-368470" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG-20200420-WA0001-1.jpg 743w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG-20200420-WA0001-1-218x300.jpg 218w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG-20200420-WA0001-1-696x959.jpg 696w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 743px) 100vw, 743px" /></figure>


Rwanda extends COVID-19 lockdown until 30 April

Rwanda extends COVID-19 lockdown until 30 April. shutterstock_520198060

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<p>With 55 confirmed cases, 20 recovered and zero deaths registered as of today, Uganda pushes forward in its fight against the spread of COVID-19. Generous private sector donations, the approval of a COVID-19 response budget and updated measures announced by President Museveni are some of the updates. Analyst and Chief Strategist, Ken Agutamba joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


Uganda approves COVID-19 response budget

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<p>The creative industry; music, movies, art have been heavily hit by the COVID-19 but amidst all this comes an opportunity and possibly a need to retool, CNBC Africa spoke to the Partnership Officer at Africa Digital Media Foundation, Mikui Mbindyo for more.</p>


How Africa’s entertainment industry is reacting to the COVID-19 crisis

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<p>Kenya has over the past few weeks been gradually increasing COVID-19 prevention measures and prioritising mass testing in efforts to stop the spread of the virus, but that hasn&#8217;t stopped indirect challenges from arising. Yesterday President Uhuru Kenyatta addressed the nation one the way forward and we have Government Spokesperson, Colonel Cyrus Oguna joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


This is what Kenya is doing to protect its citizens against COVID-19


<p><em>By Paul Polman, Siddharth Chatterjee and Myriam Sidibe</em></p>



<p>The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said that now is “a defining moment for modern society.&nbsp; History will judge the efficacy of the response not by the actions of any single set of government actors taken in isolation, but by the degree to which the response is coordinated globally across all sectors for the benefit of our human family.”</p>



<p>Governments, the private sector, and development institutions need to come together in innovative ways not just to flatten the curve of infection and mitigate the economic disruption, but also to prepare for the new normal of the post-Covid world in Africa and the rest of the world. &nbsp;Greater partnership between the public and private sectors is going to be critical. The fight to flatten the coronavirus curve is an acid test for stakeholder capitalism and especially for multilateralism.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1110" height="640" src="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/kenya-1110x640.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-368286" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/kenya-1110x640.jpg 1110w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/kenya-300x173.jpg 300w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/kenya-768x443.jpg 768w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/kenya-696x401.jpg 696w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/kenya-1068x615.jpg 1068w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/kenya.jpg 1378w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1110px) 100vw, 1110px" /><figcaption><br><br><strong><em>Kenyan nurses wear protective gear during a demonstration of preparations for any potential coronavirus cases at the Mbagathi Hospital, isolation centre for the disease, in Nairobi. Photo Quartz Africa March 2020</em></strong></figcaption></figure>



<p>As Covid-19 continues to spread sickness and death, Africa has so far escaped the worst effects.&nbsp; The continent’s lagging health care infrastructure, however, makes it highly vulnerable if the virus reaches the high-velocity community transmission we have seen in Italy, Spain and New York.&nbsp; Not only are health systems delicate, but crucial medical supplies are far from sufficient, and social protections as a whole are weak.</p>



<p>With the health crisis also becoming an economic and soon a social crisis, the continent is under siege.&nbsp; Many companies are struggling through the economic slowdown, with tourism and smaller enterprises the most challenged.&nbsp; With bankruptcy and job losses looming, many families are already reducing spending and consumption.&nbsp; In the absence of significant fiscal stimulus &#8211; which few African countries can afford anyway &#8211; some projections are cutting the continent’s GDP growth in 2020 by as much as eight percentage points.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="471" height="476" src="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/sid-chat.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-368287" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/sid-chat.jpg 471w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/sid-chat-297x300.jpg 297w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 471px) 100vw, 471px" /><figcaption><strong><em>L to R: The co-authors Myriam Sidibe, Siddharth Chatterjee, Paul Polman join the First Lady of Kenya, Ms Margaret Kenyatta, in Nairobi, Kenya at an event. Photo UNFPA Kenya, 24 Jun 2016</em></strong></figcaption></figure>



<p></p>



<p>No one knows for sure what is ahead, with scenarios changing daily as new information comes through.&nbsp; Many firms are focused on business continuity, employee safety and simply survival and lack the luxury of assisting external stakeholders.&nbsp; But it’s time for an all-hands-on-deck response, both to flatten the curve of infections and keep businesses resilient, and to be ready to restart as physical distancing ends.&nbsp; More than ever before, the private sector needs to deploy its full capabilities to innovate and bring positive, sustainable change – to help secure strong markets in the future.</p>



<p>There are several areas where private sector support is essential.&nbsp; Current priorities include unified communication platforms to enable populations to practice the needed preventative behaviours (washing hands, wearing masks, and practicing physical distancing), as well as managing stocks of essential materials, test kits, ventilators and oxygen and PPE. Support would also include protecting the most vulnerable people from the economic effects of the pandemic, especially where curfews are enforced.</p>



<p>This is also a unique opportunity to challenge sceptics, in both the not-for-profits and for-profit sectors, with a new blueprint of collaboration.&nbsp; The World Health Organisation has issued guidelines on engaging the private sector as part of a whole-of-society response to the pandemic and has signed an iconic partnership with the International Chamber of Commerce.&nbsp; The African Union and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention have also launched a public-private partnership known as the Africa Covid-19 Response Fund, which raises resources to prevent transmission and support sustainable medical responses.</p>



<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In Kenya the national government has led the charge in fighting Covid-19 by rapidly scaling up a large array of public health interventions and putting into force social interaction rules. &nbsp;To complement the government’s preparedness and response efforts for the next six months, the United Nations, together with humanitarian Non-Governmental Organisations launched a flash appeal seeking over US$267 million to respond to the critical needs of 10 million of the country’s most vulnerable people.&nbsp;</p>



<p>So far the pandemic has not been the finest hour for international cooperation.&nbsp; But the role of the UN and the private sector has never been more critical as an enabler of multisectoral partnerships for deliveries, and also to keep the focus on the most vulnerable that these partnerships need to reach. &nbsp;</p>



<p>In Kenya, and under the leadership of the Government, the UN has built a model to catalyse public private action: the SDG Partnership Platform. It is a tested instrument for engagement that has brought together a variety of private players in previous initiatives to co-create and rapidly deploy with government large-scale shared-value solutions to address the challenges our societies and planet are facing.&nbsp; It is through such a mechanism, for example, that the UN mobilized the private sector to carry out a maternal mortality reduction campaign in Kenya’s north-eastern counties, one that was recognised as a global best practice.</p>



<p>Kenya’s<a href="https://www.covid19businessresponse.ke/"> National Business Compact on Coronavirus</a>, a gathering of companies aimed at accelerating local action and supporting governmental efforts against the pandemic, got successfully off the ground with the help of the UN SDG Partnership Platform, and champions from private sector and civil society. &nbsp;</p>



<p>The Kenyan model of cooperation could take shape all over Africa.&nbsp; Such models allow governments to foster an ecosystem of purposeful partnerships; to amplify private-sector philanthropy, corporate social responsibility and policy advocacy for national mitigation; and to accelerate shared-value partnerships.&nbsp; It also allows the UN to play its role as a neutral broker, and steer a much-needed balance between lethargic action on one hand and misdirected reactions on the other.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This may well be the blueprint needed to fight the next global pandemic, whose speed and fury could surpass what we are witnessing now.</p>



<p><a href="https://twitter.com/PaulPolman"><strong><em>Paul Polman</em></strong></a><strong><em> is </em></strong><strong><em>co-founder of IMAGINE, Chair of the International Chambers of Commerce and former CEO of Unilever</em></strong><strong><em></em></strong></p>



<p><a href="https://twitter.com/sidchat1?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor"><strong><em>Siddharth Chatterjee</em></strong></a><strong><em> is the UN Resident Coordinator of Kenya</em></strong></p>



<p><a href="https://twitter.com/Myriam_Sidibe"><strong><em>Myriam Sidibe</em></strong></a><strong><em> is a Senior Fellow at Mossavar Rahmani Center for Business and Government at Harvard Kennedy School</em></strong></p>


918615dd-8dcb-457f-9f5a-af8123e50ff4

Multilateralism through Public-Private partnerships are Key to Flattening the COVID-19 Curve

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<p>As the world battles the COVID-19 pandemic, farmers in East Africa are facing yet another devastating outbreak; a second wave of desert locusts. This has sparked fears of widespread crop loss and serious levels of food insecurity in the region. CNBC Africa spoke to Crystal Wells, East Africa Spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross for more.</p>


ICRC: Why the second wave of locust swarms could prove disastrous for East Africa

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<p>The African Union says it is deeply concerned about the alleged discrimination of Africans in China. This follows reports and videos of Africans being kicked out of hotels, being blocked from restaurants and being forced into self-quarantine following a second wave of the coronavirus in the country. So what is China doing about this? Lin Nan, Charge d’affaires of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China spoke to CNBC Africa for more.</p>


COVID-19: Is China discriminating against Africans?

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<p>The UN recently called for measures to address a “horrifying global surge in domestic violence” directed towards women and girls, linked to lock-downs imposed by governments responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mary Balikungeri, Founder, Rwanda Women&#8217;s Network spoke to CNBC Africa for more.</p>


Rwanda Women’s Network on tackling domestic violence amid the COVID-19 lock-down

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<p>49 of the 134 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Rwanda have so far fully recovered according to the Ministry of health, CNBC Africa spoke to one of the recovered patients Frank Nsonga on his experience and how he beat the coronavirus.</p>


Rwandan Frank Nsonga on how he battled COVID-19 and won

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<p>This year&#8217;s genocide commemoration activities were cancelled and citizens had no choice but to remember from home. However, youth took upon social media to keep creating awareness of the genocide that took place in Rwanda in 1994. Laure Iyaga, Founder of Sana Initiatives joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


East Africa

How COVID-19 is reshaping the crypto industry

The economic impact of COVID-19 on trade in East Africa

Is COVID-19 the opportunity for alternative energy?

The impact of COVID-19 on Kenya’s retail industry

Outcry as small businesses in Ethiopia have their pages pulled down by Facebook

COVID-19: What the oil price crash means for African economies

COVID-19: What the G20 debt relief agreement means for Africa

Rwanda extends COVID-19 lockdown until 30 April

Uganda approves COVID-19 response budget

How Africa’s entertainment industry is reacting to the COVID-19 crisis

This is what Kenya is doing to protect its citizens against COVID-19

Multilateralism through Public-Private partnerships are Key to Flattening the COVID-19 Curve

ICRC: Why the second wave of locust swarms could prove disastrous for East Africa

COVID-19: Is China discriminating against Africans?

Rwanda Women’s Network on tackling domestic violence amid the COVID-19 lock-down

Rwandan Frank Nsonga on how he battled COVID-19 and won

How COVID-19 is impacting Rwanda’s youth during genocide commemoration

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East Africa

How COVID-19 is reshaping the crypto industry

The economic impact of COVID-19 on trade in East Africa

Is COVID-19 the opportunity for alternative energy?

The impact of COVID-19 on Kenya’s retail industry

Outcry as small businesses in Ethiopia have their pages pulled down by Facebook

COVID-19: What the oil price crash means for African economies

COVID-19: What the G20 debt relief agreement means for Africa

Rwanda extends COVID-19 lockdown until 30 April

Uganda approves COVID-19 response budget

How Africa’s entertainment industry is reacting to the COVID-19 crisis

This is what Kenya is doing to protect its citizens against COVID-19

Multilateralism through Public-Private partnerships are Key to Flattening the COVID-19 Curve

ICRC: Why the second wave of locust swarms could prove disastrous for East Africa

COVID-19: Is China discriminating against Africans?

Rwanda Women’s Network on tackling domestic violence amid the COVID-19 lock-down

Rwandan Frank Nsonga on how he battled COVID-19 and won

How COVID-19 is impacting Rwanda’s youth during genocide commemoration

News Tips

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