Coronavirus Expected to Disrupt African Economies

The ChinaAfrica Project published on 26 February 2020 an analysis titled "COVID-19 Expected to Cause Widespread Economic Disruption in Africa" by Jeremy Stevens, chief China economist at Standard Bank in Beijing.

The author lays out the negative, short-term consequences for Africa of China's coronavirus, but concludes that it is unlikely to alter the long-term, structural China-Africa commercial ties.

What the Coronavirus Means for Africa

The African Center for Strategic Studies published on 4 February 2020 an analysis titled "What the Coronavirus Means for Africa" by Shannon Smith.

Given its fragile public health systems and close ties to China, Africa is vulnerable to the spread of the coronavirus, highlighting the continent's centrality to global health security. The economic consequences of the outbreak may be more significant for Africa than the epidemiological impact.

Most Vulnerable African Countries to Impact of Coronavirus

Overseas Development Institute published in February 2020 a report titled "Economic Vulnerabilities to Health Pandemics: Which Countries Are Most Vulnerable to the Impact of Coronavirus" by Sherillyn Raga and Dirk Willem te Velde.

This is an extensive global study on the economic impact of China's coronavirus. The most exposed African countries include Angola, DRC, Sierra Leone, Lesotho, and Zambia.

Africa Is Not Prepared for Coronavirus

The New York Times published on 6 February 2020 an article titled "Africa, Intertwined with China, Fears Coronavirus Outbreak" by Simon Marks and Abdi Latif Dahir.

Disease surveillance systems in most African countries are weak and the continent lacks adequate diagnostic capability. Identifying most coronavirus cases and controlling an outbreak could be difficult, especially in the poorest and most resource-constrained countries.

Coronavirus Is Beginning to Affect China's Trade with Africa

The South China Morning Post published on 5 February 2020 an article titled "From Angola to Zambia, China's African Partners Brace for Coronavirus Blow to Trade" by Jevans Nyabiage.

Chinese demand underpins the economies of resource-rich African countries such as Angola, Zambia, Congo Brazzaville and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The economic slowdown in China due to coronavirus is beginning to play out in these countries.

How Much Can China Offer in Africa's Ebola Crisis?

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) published on 18 September 2014 an analysis titled "How Much Can China Offer in Africa's Ebola Crisis?" by Yanzhong Huang, senior fellow for global health at the CFR.

After praising China for the recent assistance it provided to Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea to combat Ebola, the author took China to task for claims it is making about its ability to defeat Ebola.  In August, China surprised the world by announcing that it had successfully developed its first drug for treating Ebola.  In September, China said it had "mastered" the Ebola virus antibody gene, along with diagnostic reagents for the virus.  The author argued that given the lack of basic research, it is highly doubtful that China's first Ebola drug can be effective. 

China's Engagement in Global Health

The Lancet, a medical journal that began in London in 1823, published on 30 August 2014 an informative article titled "China's Distinctive Engagement in Global Health" by Peilong Liu, Department of Global Health, and a number of other experts.  You can register for free to access the entire 10-page article.  The 30 August issue is devoted to health and medical issues concerning China.

The authors note that China has made rapid progress in four key areas of global health.  China's health aid deploys medical teams, constructs facilities, donates drugs and equipment, trains personnel, and supports malaria control mainly in Africa and Asia.  China's approach to global health is distinctive and based on its unique history, comparative strength, and policies driven by several governmental ministries.