Building forward better towards an inclusive and resilient future : issues paper

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic has had deva sting impacts in Africa. It has caused African economies to enter recession for the first time in 30 years, eroded its fiscal space further, increased debt, threatened livelihoods, and exacerbated inequalities and poverty levels especially among the informally employed as well as young girls and women. Using evidence from Africa, this paper surveys the social and economic impacts of COVID-19. It argues that these effects were exacerbated partly by the fact that Africa’s growth is insufficiently inclusive and resilient underpinned by structural vulnerabilities. It proposes that building an inclusive and resilient future through productive jobs is a necessary foundation for an inclusive and resilient future. The impact of COVID-19 on Africa by focusing on health, education, employment, poverty and inequality, economic growth and financial flows.