For Cian*, a common strategy is essential at a time when, faced with Covid-19, Europe is at
heart of the cyclone when Africa is about to enter it.
Africa is not immune to the spread of Covid-19. After Asia, Europe and America, the virus will
surge across the continent in the coming weeks. 51 of the continent's 54 states are now reached
and nearly 10,000 cases have now been identified. The main foci are still in South Africa,
in Egypt and in the three Maghreb countries, but the epidemic is progressing everywhere. Focused on her own
management of this dramatic crisis, Europe seems to be neglecting the consequences of the expansion of the virus in the south
of the Mediterranean. Africa is practically absent from the public debate.

The countries of the continent will have the worst difficulties in fighting against this invisible virus: the measures of
containment implemented elsewhere may not be identically replicable. Data
epidemiological, often incomplete, will not reflect the real progression of Covid-19. The
equipment is lacking, be it masks, screening tests or breathing apparatus. The
population density in African metropolises - Lagos has 20 million inhabitants - goes further
promote contamination. The only factor of hope, which needs to be confirmed, lies in the youth
of the continent's population: the median age is 21 in sub-Saharan Africa and 31 in
Maghreb, against 47 years in Italy. However, it would seem that the Covid-19 is less virulent among young people. Corn
will that be enough?

For Etienne Giros, Deputy Chairman of CIAN (French Council of Investors in Africa), "the countries of
continent will have the worst difficulties in fighting this invisible virus". © DR
An unprecedented economic crisis
Beyond the human tragedies, the consequences of this public health crisis promise to be dramatic
on the economic plan. The UN estimates that the continent needs an immediate $200 billion to
respond to health challenges. It will probably take ten times as much to mitigate the effects on the
African economies. African countries do not have the financial reserves or the capacities that Europe
can mobilize. A recession seems inevitable, because the bad news adds up. The price of
raw materials, the main export resources of African countries, is declining
strongly. And entire sectors of the economy are already at a standstill, such as air transport,
tourism and hospitality. The informal sector, which accounts for nearly 80% of jobs on the continent, will be hard
affected by the drop in activity. Those who work in this sector eat in the evening what they have earned
during the day. To the health crisis could well be added the food emergency.

Another major threat is the collapse in oil prices. African producing countries have
need courses at 60-70 dollars to ensure their financial balance. With a barrel at 25 dollars, they will experience a liquidity crisis in the short term. We estimate the shortfall for the countries
African oil companies to nearly 100 billion dollars in 2020, including 25 billion for Nigeria alone, the
continent's largest economy. The money that irrigates the economy will run out, for example in the
agricultural export sector where it is necessary to pre-finance the campaigns to allow the sectors to
function (cocoa, coffee, cotton, tropical woods). In many states where social protection is almost
non-existent, the emergence of such economic blockages can lead to social tensions and a
outbreak of insecurity.

A collective response is needed
Faced with these announced upheavals, the response can only be collective and multilateral. You have to put to
available to African States the cash necessary to allow them to grant their companies
deferrals or reductions of taxes and contributions. Otherwise, the already shaky African private sector will be
called upon to deal with the crisis when it no longer has the means. You also have to suspend the
repayment of Africa's public debt to give it oxygen. Antonio Guterres, secretary
General of the United Nations, launched an appeal in this direction. It must be heard! This decision is up to the
international donors, but also to China. Then, you will have to quickly think about reactivating the circuits
food and health aid for the populations.

Another salutary measure to help Africa would be for the OPEC countries and Russia
interrupt their suicidal tariff war and put an end to the spiral of overproduction/collapse of the
demand. It is a political measure that can be taken very quickly.

It is up to the international community to realize the seriousness of the crisis that is playing out in
Africa. Jean-Yves Le Drian, the head of French diplomacy, announced that a financial package would be
mobilized to help the continent overcome the health and economic effects of the pandemic. He must be
implemented without further delay with our partners in the European Union. We have an obligation to
solidarity, but also an interest in implementing it, because the virus knows no borders. Europe and
Africa will have to find a response to this global challenge together. French companies invested in
Africa will play their part, as they have already shown in the past.