The disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic pushed an estimated 55 million Africans into extreme poverty in 2020 and reversed more than two decades of progress in poverty reduction on the continent.

The report shows that the pandemic has caused job losses, reduced income and further limited the ability of households to manage risks. An estimated 12.6 per cent more people are likely to be pushed into poverty in one year alone more than the combined total of the additional poor since 1999. Additionally, the report identifies African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as an opportunity to build forward better since most African countries still depend on exports of raw materials and on imports of essential goods such as food items and pharmaceuticals.

Readmore:https://repository.uneca.org/bitstream/handle/10855/47592/ERA%202021%20En%20%28b12002963%29.pdf