Africa needs R1.7-trillion to fight coronavirus, says UN
UN economic body says stimulus is needed urgently as the continent is two to three weeks from worst of outbreak
Africa is two to three weeks away from the worst of the coronavirus storm and needs an emergency economic stimulus of $100bn (R1.7-trillion) to bolster preventive measures and support its fragile health-care systems, according to the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).
Almost half of the funds could come from waiving interest payments to multilateral institutions. That would give countries the fiscal space needed to impose social-distancing measures, widen social safety nets and equip hospitals to treat the sick ahead of an expected surge in infections, UNECA executive secretary Vera Songwe said by phone from Washington...
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