Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Economists Say Coronavirus Will Slam African Economies

Simon Marks

   ADDIS ABABA - As the coronavirus spreads across Africa, countries are
   taking stronger measures to curb its spread. The restrictions may
   contain the virus, but will likely have a deep impact on the
   continent's economies.

   With several African governments closing borders, canceling flights and
   enforcing strict quarantine requirements to curb the spread of the
   virus, experts say there will be consequences for the continent's
   economy.

   The United Nations said it now estimates Africa's GDP rate will fall
   from 3.2 percent to 1.8 percent this year.

   "This is going to deal a very severe blow to growth," said Vera Songwe,
   secretary-general of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa,
   "even though the numbers of cases on the continent are quite small. If
   you look at that Africa does not seem to be affected. But then when you
   look at the economics, I think that is where the big story is for
   Africa. We are being severely affected."

   Over the weekend Kenya shut its border to foreigners, while Ghana
   banned entry to anyone who visited a country with the coronavirus in
   the last two weeks.

   South Africa, already in a recession, declared a national state of
   emergency and banned travel to and from China, Europe and the U.S.

.