signe5_ LUIS TATOAFP via Getty Images_worker africa Luis Tato/AFP via Getty Images

Global Partnerships for an African Recovery

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Aside from humanitarian principles and solidarity, a strong and rapid African recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic is in the world’s interest. External partners can help to improve Africa's crisis response, accelerate its economic recovery, and build momentum for its post-pandemic development.

WASHINGTON, DC/PORT LOUIS – The spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected developed and developing countries alike, despite vast disparities in initial response capacities. Global leaders were especially concerned about the disease’s potential implications for Africa, given the continent’s lack of financial and medical resources, weak health-care systems, fragile economies, and vulnerable populations.

But preparation and cooperation among African leaders and African Union agencies, particularly the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have resulted in many successes – including increased testing capacity, resource mobilization, and coordinated policies to prevent and contain the coronavirus’s spread and promote economic recovery.

Despite these successes, Africa is still facing significant challenges. These include a continued rise in COVID-19 cases, a need for greater testing capacity and improved health infrastructure, difficulties acquiring medical and food supplies, weak social-welfare systems that are struggling to support vulnerable populations during the economic crisis, and high government debt coupled with a need for increased spending.

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