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Experts: African Economies Need Massive Support to Weather Coronavirus

Lisa Bryant

   A number of African economies are among the world's fastest growing in
   recent years. However, analysts fear COVID-19, which was slow to arrive
   on the continent, will end that.

   The U.N. Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) estimates the coronavirus
   has already cost the region $29 billion and could more than halve its
   GDP, for reasons including supply chain disruptions.

   "You have several other losses that are linked to that," Mama Keita,
   ECA director for Eastern Africa, told CNBC Africa. "The slowing down of
   activities comes with reduced public revenue for the government,
   reduced profitability for businesses, lower investment."

   The pandemic is also causing unemployment and other lost revenues on a
   continent where many live on the edge.

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