COVID-19 Unprecedented Risk to SDGs in Africa

Author:
Dr. Belay Begashaw
Publisher:
Sustainable Development Goals Center for Africa
Publication Date:
29 May 2020
Tags:
Africa, Coronavirus, Sustainable Development

The analytical exposition therein this report reveals the twin crises (heath and economic) have heightened the risks to SDGs. This is not good news, owing to fact as shown in the Africa SDG. Index and Dashboards series, Africa remains largely off track on the 2030 SDG targets. The pandemic moves Africa performance further off the SDG ideal path. We predict the largest GDP contraction in Africa in 50 years of -2 per cent in 2020,even in the best scenario of 2 months' lockdown. Consequently, COVID-19 could push more than 20.4 million into extreme poverty in 2020 in an optimistic scenario and in the worst case, 82 million additional poor people. Similarly, an additional of 63.7 million people could be severely food insecure. Already, thirty-four Africa nations were on their knees for food assistance. The situation could further be exacerbated by swarm of locusts that have invaded largely Eastern Africa.

Follow AllAfrica

AllAfrica publishes around 600 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.