On combatting Covid-19 and strengthening the health care system What has been your experience with Covid-19 in Kaduna State? BALARABE: The Kaduna State government, like most of the country, relies on its public health personnel and facilities to manage not only endemic disease, but also epidemics such as Covid-19. The pandemic has served to reinforce the critical importance of this system.…
On working with the private sector to fight Covid-19 and strengthen health care infrastructure What challenges has the NCDC been able to overcome in terms of testing capacity, and what are the main obstacles ahead? CHIKWE IHEKWEAZU: The outbreak of Covid-19 exposed pre-existing weaknesses in Nigeria’s diagnostic capacity. Historically, testing has not developed as rapidly in Nigeria…
On the impact of Covid-19 and falling oil prices on Nigeria’s economy How is Nigeria’s oil and gas industry faring in the face of the current pandemic? AUSTIN AVURU: The combination of the current pandemic and the rapid decline in demand for crude oil globally is reflected in current oil prices. In real terms, we are expecting to end 2020 with an aggregate price that is half of what our original…
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On adapting to changing preferences What has been the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Africa’s e-commerce sector? JULIET ANAMMAH: It is important to recognise that we are currently facing a public health crisis that is having a significant impact on people’s lives. Nonetheless, it has been interesting from a business perspective to adapt to the evolving situation. At Jumia our primary…
En Français Africa has gradually worked its way up over the years to rank at the top of business and investor portfolios worldwide, and boasts some of the world’s fastest-growing economies. Long regarded as one of the most impoverished regions, Africa has produced a number of success stories in recent years, bringing with it an array of investors, businesses and jobs.…
InEnglish L’Afrique a gravi les échelons au fil des années pour occuper une place de choix dans les portefeuilles d’activités et d’investissement de par le monde et le continent abrite désormais des pays affichant une croissance économique parmi les plus rapides au monde. Longtemps considérée comme l’une des régions les plus démunies du monde, l’Afrique a été le berceau…
As Nigeria scales back itscoronavirus restrictions, the countryis looking to digital innovation to ease the impact of an economic slowdown andmaintainfood security. Nigeria is one of several African countries– others include Rwanda and South Africa – to follow Ghana’s leadin implementing a phased removal of Covid-19 containment measures. The six-week…
On finding opportunity in the face of adversity What investment opportunities have you seen arise from previous economic and health crises, and how does Covid-19 compare? IYINOLUWA ABOYEJI: Crisis is not new to Nigeria. We have already lived through a number of them, and they provide both challenges and opportunities. Indeed, two of our top portfolio companies were founded in the middle of previous…
