Digitalisation of economic sectors will kick-start a new growth cycle after COVID-19, Africa’s Development Dynamics report shows

The COVID‑19 pandemic is the hardest shock to African economies in 25 years

The response to the COVID-19 crisis builds momentum for Africa’s digital transformation to overcome the pandemic and create more productive jobs, according to the 2021 edition of Africa’s Development Dynamics (AfDD) launched today. The COVID‑19 pandemic is the hardest shock to African economies in 25 years. Gross domestic product (GDP)…

African Development Bank, European Investment Bank sign Joint Partnership Action Plan to fast-track development in Africa

The Joint Action Plan was developed following an EIB delegation meeting with the African Development Bank in February 2020

The African Development Bank (AfDB) (www.AfDB.org) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) today signed a joint partnership action plan highlighting their strengthened cooperation and mutual development priorities and a strong shared emphasis on boosting public and private sector investment in Africa. The Joint Action Plan enables both institutions to grow…

Joint Statement on Mozambique by United Nations Regional Directors for Southern and Eastern Africa

The United Nations is deeply concerned by the worsening humanitarian crisis and escalating violence forcing thousands to flee in Cabo Delgado province

Escalating conflict and a deteriorating humanitarian situation in Cabo Delgado has left communities completely reliant on humanitarian assistance. According to the Government, attacks by non-state groups have forced more than 565,000 people to flee their homes and villages, abandoning their crops and livelihoods. Last December, the United Nations Regional Directors…

MSF emergency team responds to worrying health needs in Riang, South Sudan, with high rates of malaria

In January, an MSF emergency team flew into Riang and found remote communities struggling to access clean water, safe water storage, latrines and basic healthcare

Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is concerned about the situation in Riang, in Jonglei state, eastern South Sudan, where the health of communities is increasingly at risk. In January, an MSF emergency team flew into Riang and found remote communities struggling to access clean water, safe water storage, latrines…

UNSMIL announces that Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) approves the proposal of selection mechanism of executive authority for the preparatory period

Seventy-two LPDF members engaged in the voting process, with 51 voting in favor of the proposed mechanism, representing almost 73 percent of the votes cast

Following the agreement on a proposal for the selection mechanism of a unified executive authority, reached by the Advisory Committee of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) in Geneva on 16 January, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) conducted a one-day voting process, from Monday 18 January 10:00…

Customers demand greater digital engagement from Communication Service Providers (CSPs)

Communication service providers need to transform their IT systems, as well as their approach to customer experience, to meet the growing need of customers in Africa, writes George Fraser, VP: Customer Business Executive - Africa at Amdocs

The COVID-19 pandemic is accelerating the move to digital, as large proportions of the population have continued to work, learn and be entertained remotely, while others have trialled services such as remote health care for the first time. These were amongst the findings of a recent Amdocs (www.Amdocs.com) survey (https://bit.ly/3956itb)…

Coronavirus - Zimbabwe: COVID-19 update (19 January 2021)

783 new cases of COVID-19 in Zimbabwe and 52 deaths. Bulawayo - 26 Harare - 251 Manicaland - 44 Mash Central - 156 Mash East - 76 Mash West - 120 Midlands - 51 Masvingo - 41 Mat North - 10 Mat South - 8 28 675 confirmed cases 18…

Coronavirus - South Africa: COVID-19 update (19 January 2021)

Test conducted: 7 700 019 Positive cases identified: 1 356 716 Total recoveries: 1 144 857 Total deaths: 38 288 New cases: 9 780

Coronavirus - Eswatini: COVID-19 update (19 January 2021)

Health Minister Lizzie Nkosi announces 19 new COVID-19 deaths in Eswatini, taking total deaths to 403. "May their souls rest in peace." New cases: 256 Total cases: 13 443 Active cases: 4272 New recoveries: 138 Total recoveries: 8512 New deaths: 19 Total deaths: 403

Coronavirus: African Union Member States reporting COVID-19 cases as of 19 January 2021, 6 pm EAT

African Union Member States (55) reporting COVID-19 cases (3,288,950) deaths (79782), and recoveries (2,721,185) by region: Central (82,523 cases; 1,556 deaths; 71,272 recoveries): Burundi (1,245; 2; 773), Cameroon (28,010; 455; 26,861), CAR (4,974; 63; 4,902), Chad (2,919; 113; 2,148), Congo (7,709; 114; 5,860), DRC (21,140; 640; 14,812), Equatorial Guinea (5,365;…