COVID-19 in Africa

The Africa Center for Strategic Studies has undertaken a series of analyses tracking the spread of  COVID-19 across Africa, examining key risk factors, urban landscapes, and vulnerable populations that shape the virus’s transmission as well as the social, political, and security implications for the continent:

Spotlight

Overcoming the Disparity in Africa’s COVID Vaccine Access

July 23, 2021

Africa is facing a major disparity in its COVID vaccine access relative to any other region in the world, amplifying the human costs that Africans bear from the Delta variant surge.

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Devastating Human Toll as the Delta COVID Variant Takes Hold in Africa

July 9, 2021

The surge in the Delta coronavirus variant in Africa is set to cause hundreds of thousands of deaths in the coming months absent a dramatic scaling up of preventative measures and COVID vaccine access.

Spotlight

Lessons for Africa from India’s Deadly COVID Surge

May 28, 2021

The surge in COVID-19 cases in India, spurred by a more transmissible variant and complacency, provides a stark warning to African populations to remain vigilant to contain the pandemic.

Dispelling COVID Vaccine Myths in Africa

Spotlight

Dispelling COVID Vaccine Myths in Africa

May 21, 2021

A preponderance of COVID vaccine myths is causing many Africans to forego vaccinations at a time when new, more transmissible coronavirus variants are spreading across the continent.

Analyzing Africa’s Second Wave of COVID-19

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Analyzing Africa’s Second Wave of COVID-19

January 5, 2021

2020 saw COVID-19 infect over 2.7 million Africans and kill over 65,000. A surge of cases in the last quarter of the year, combined with the emergence of more contagious mutations, pose new challenges for Africa in 2021.

Africa’s Varied COVID Landscapes

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Africa’s Varied COVID Landscapes

July 13, 2020

There is not a single African COVID-19 trajectory, but rather multiple, distinct risk profiles. These profiles highlight the differentiating role that a free press, government transparency, and conflict play in responding to the pandemic in Africa.

Lessons from the 1918-1919 Spanish Flu Pandemic in Africa

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Lessons from the 1918-1919 Spanish Flu Pandemic in Africa

May 13, 2020

Despite important differences, colonial Africa’s experience confronting the Spanish flu a century ago provides historical lessons for the COVID-19 response today.

African Adaptations to the COVID-19 Response

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African Adaptations to the COVID-19 Response

April 15, 2020

Presidential task forces, staggered mobility, support for the most vulnerable, and local innovations mark Africa’s adaptive response to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Spotlight

Innovations Needed to Prevent COVID-19 from Catching Fire in African Cities

By Mark Duerksen
April 9, 2020

With urban population densities and poverty rates among the world’s highest, innovative measures will be needed to prevent African cities from becoming hotspots of the coronavirus pandemic.

Mapping Risk Factors for the Spread of COVID-19 in Africa

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Mapping Risk Factors for the Spread of COVID-19 in Africa

April 3, 2020

African countries face varying levels of risk that will require adapting a diversified set of response strategies to the coronavirus. The most vulnerable countries may not be those with the earliest onset.

Managing Health and Economic Priorities as the COVID-19 Pandemic Spreads in Africa

Spotlight

Managing Health and Economic Priorities as the COVID-19 Pandemic Spreads in Africa

By Shannon Smith
March 30, 2020

The coronavirus is placing severe strains on Africa’s health, economic, and security sectors. Mitigation and suppression efforts will require a comprehensive government response built on clear communications and public trust.

Five Myths about Coronavirus

Spotlight

Five Myths about Coronavirus in Africa

March 27, 2020

The spread of the coronavirus in Africa has been accompanied by pervasive misinformation. Fact-checking and ongoing public service communications by all actors are needed to curb the costs of these myths.

COVID-19 and Africa’s Displacement Crisis

Spotlight

COVID-19 and Africa’s Displacement Crisis

By Wendy Williams
March 25, 2020

The spread of the coronavirus in Africa is intersecting with the continent’s population displacement crisis. Protecting displaced persons and migrants will be key to reducing the overall rates of transmission.

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Coronavirus Spreads through Africa

March 19, 2020

The coronavirus pandemic has spread rapidly since it arrived in Africa. This time series analysis tracks the logarithmic dissemination of COVID-19 across the continent.

What the Coronavirus Means for Africa

Spotlight

What the Coronavirus Means for Africa

By Shannon Smith
February 4, 2020

Given its fragile public health systems and close ties to China, Africa is vulnerable to the spread of the coronavirus, highlighting the continent’s centrality to global health security.