Addressing the Social and Economic Shock of COVID-19 on African Economies:
\nA Conversation with Dr. Albert Zeufack<\/p>\n
June 17, 2020 at 3 \u2013 4PM Washington D.C Time
\n8-9PM Cameroon Time<\/p>\n
Background<\/p>\n
The Covid-19 pandemic is the worse health crisis that has plagued the world since the outbreak of the Spanish Flu of 1918-1919, and the most challenging crisis the world has faced since the Second World War. The pandemic has caused severe economic repercussions in many countries, in addition to the health consequences with regards to mortality and morbidity. It has brought the global economy to a standstill as all forms of economic activity have been significantly interrupted to curtail the spread of the virus.\u00a0 Unfortunately, the African continent has not escaped the health and economic devastation of the pandemic.
\nIn Africa, the economic, social, and health problems brought by this pandemic further strain economies which have been struggling to recover from the impacts of a drastic fall in oil and commodity prices since 2014.\u00a0 According to the World Bank\u2019s biannual Africa\u2019s Pulse report, economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa, for example, is expected to decline from 2.4% in 2019 to between -2.1 and -5.1% in 2020. The region, the report predicts, will experience its first economic recession in the last 25 years. If adequate macroeconomic measures are not taken and quickly, the recession will undoubtedly lead to an economic depression. However, the depth of the recession will depend on the success of measures taken to mitigate its effects.\u00a0 Thus, critical analysis of the macroeconomic state of African economies amid the COVID-19 pandemic and brainstorming on the most effective policy options are urgently needed to not only cushion the economic pain but also lay the framework for a robust and inclusive recovery.<\/p>\n
The overall goal of this event<\/p>\n
To better understand how Africa is coping with COVID-19 and the short, medium- and long-term socio-economic ramifications on the continent<\/p>\n
Main themes to be discussed during the event<\/p>\n
Economic impact of COVID-19 on the global economy with emphasis on African economies
\nWhat various countries, multilateral partners and development finance institutions have done to respond so far
\nUnderstanding the gaps in response, what more needs to be done
\nHow is the pandemic and the current responses being experienced by various sectors (agriculture, manufacturing, services, etc)?
\nWhat must be done by African leaders and friends of Africa to maximize the opportunities the pandemic offers to ensure the continent comes out stronger in the Post-COVID World?<\/p>\n
Expectations<\/p>\n
At the end of this event, participants will understand the following:<\/p>\n
Even though COVID-19 is a health crisis, it has serious economic consequences all over the world.
\nThe macroeconomic effects of COVID-19 on the global economy at large and African economies in particular.
\nThe state of the African economies before the COVID-19 Pandemic.
\nAccurate statistics concerning the economic impact of COVID-19 on the African and world economy.
\nThe impact of COVID-19 on various economic activities such as investments, production, distribution, and international trade.
\nThe different macroeconomic options that could tackle the consequences of the pandemic on African economies.<\/p>\n
Date and Venue<\/p>\n
June 17, 2020 from 3-4PM Washington D.C Time
\nEvent will be held on ZOOM and streamed live
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 6. Panelists\/Speakers
\nMain Guest Main Guest \u2013 Dr Albert Zeufack
\nChief Economist for the Africa Region
\nWorld Bank Group \u2013 Washington D.C
\nModeratorDr Denis Foretia
\nExecutive Chairman \u2013 Nkafu Policy Institute and Co-Chair \u2013 Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation
\n7. Participants
\nThe event will bring together public policy experts, policy makers at the national, continental and international levels, leaders of civil society organizations, economists, leaders of NGOs and international organizations. It will be open to the general public with a session for Q&A.
\n.fusion-button.button-65 {border-radius:0px;}REGISTER NOW<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Addressing the Social and Economic Shock of COVID-19 on African […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","tags":[],"mec_category":[680,342,399],"mec_speaker":[],"class_list":["post-11194","mec-events","type-mec-events","status-publish","hentry","mec_category-event","mec_category-events","mec_category-webinar"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n