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ADDIS ABABA, Dec 9 (Xinhua) – The current COVID-19 pandemic has created “a once-in-a-century opportunity” to build a better Africa, said a senior economics expert from the African Development Bank (AfDB).
The comment was made by Hanan Morsy, Director of the Research, Forecasting and Macroeconomic Policy Department at the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Morsy, speaking at the 2020 African Economic Conference, underscored the concerted efforts of several African governments to harness digital technologies such as online learning as a means to slow the spread of the pandemic.
Noting that the priority of any anti-COVID-19 intervention “should be to save lives and livelihoods, while expanding the efficiency of safety nets,” Morsy also emphasized that it is important to support viable businesses facing limitations of liquidity.
The director was joined by experts from various continental and international organizations to explore an inclusive and sustainable economic solution for Africa following the adverse social and economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The panelists said that “beyond the dark cloud of the COVID-19 pandemic there is a ray of light of a more prosperous and sustainable Africa,” according to a joint statement issued Wednesday.
They emphasized that to emerge stronger from the pandemic, African governments must establish transparent and accountable governance structures that ensure fiscal inclusion and sustainability. Final product
