The first members of a surge team of health experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa to bolster the country’s response to COVID-19.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has launched its nutrition support programme for the first time in Khartoum for 175,000 pregnant and nursing women and children under five, in collaboration with the Khartoum State Ministry of Health.

Over 5,500 frontline healthcare workers in Kenya will continue receiving monthly communication bundles following Safaricom’s move to extend the communication support that was provided for three months from April 2020.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has launched a course on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), in the context of coronavirus disease.

South Africa responded swiftly to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the sharp drop in activity adds to long-standing challenges and raises the urgency for structural reforms, according to a new OECD report.

With COVID-19 aggravating an already severe hunger crisis in Zimbabwe, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) appealed for an additional $250 million to support a rapidly expanding emergency operation for millions at risk.

IFC has launched an initiative to strengthen health systems by encouraging providers, payors, and investors to adopt a set of 10 ethical principles that can help guide decision-making and improve access to quality, affordable care for all.

Sibanye-Stillwater, AngloGold Ashanti, Sasol and Imperial Logistics have formed a strategic partnership which will see Sibanye-Stillwater distributing hand sanitisers produced by Sasol to schools, health facilities and taxi ranks.

Malawi’s three-year trajectory of increasing economic growth has been interrupted by the global COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, but the full extent of the pandemic’s negative impact is still uncertain as the crisis unfolds, says World Bank.

IFC announced a $50 million loan to Equity Bank Kenya to help it increase working capital and trade-related lending to its small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) clients.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a loan of $288 million to the government of South Africa, as the country battles one of the largest COVID-19 caseloads in the world.

Belgium has contributed to an anticipatory action project aimed at enhancing the food security and nutrition of populations affected by COVID-19 in Zimbabwe.

A COVID-19 dashboard has been launched by the Commonwealth Secretariat to help member countries make vital decisions during the ongoing crisis.

IFC committed $5.6 billion to private sector development in the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa in fiscal year 2020, supporting businesses across the two regions.

According to the report, the mHealth market was valued at $46 billion in 2019, and is expected to reach $230 billion by 2027, registering a CAGR of 22.3% from 2020 to 2027.

The European Union is providing €64.7 million in humanitarian aid for countries in the southern Africa region to help support people in need dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, extreme weather conditions such as persistent drought.

The World Bank responded to dual economic shocks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent collapse in oil prices with strong lending, technical assistance and global expertise throughout the Middle East and North Africa.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a grant under the IMF’s Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust (CCRT) to cover Burundi’s debt service falling due to the IMF from July 21, 2020 to October 13, 2020, equivalent of $7.63 million.

African swine Fever (ASF), which may cause up to 100 percent mortality in pigs, has become a major crisis for the pork industry, causing massive losses in pig populations and generating drastic economic consequences.

General Electric (GE) has appointed Nyimpini Mabunda as the Chief Executive Officer for Southern Africa.

Increased and decisive investment will be the channel for Africa’s economic recovery post COVID-19, partners of the Africa Investment Forum said, expressing confidence in the continent’s potential to rebound from the ongoing health and economic crises.

15.4 million cases of acute malnutrition in children under five years old are expected in 2020 in West and Central Africa if adequate measures are not put in place now, warns UN agencies, UNICEF and WFP.

Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) Equateur Province continues to grow, causing major concern as the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners face critical funding gaps.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) approved € 16.6 billion of new financing for projects across Europe and around the world, including more than € 10 billion of COVID-19-related investment to improve public health.

In Africa and Asia, SMEs provide the majority of food consumed and have the potential to increase access to safe, nutritious foods if they can grow their businesses through finance and technical assistance.

Before the pandemic, when tourists flocked to Cape Town, they often ignored Khayelitsha township.

Economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed East Africa’s growth projection for 2020 down to 1.2 percent, a rate that outstrips other African regions and is forecast to rebound to 3.7 percent in 2021, according to the AfDB.

UNHCR and the World Food Programme are warning that severe underfunding, conflict and disasters, as well as supply chain challenges, rising food prices and loss of income due to COVID19 threaten to leave refugees across Africa without food.

The African Union Commission has launched the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Consortium for COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Trial (CONCVACT).

Uganda’s real gross domestic product (GDP) growth in 2020 is projected to be between 0.4 and 1.7% compared to 5.6% in 2019, according to the latest edition of the Uganda Economic Update released by the World Bank.

IFC announced a $5.2 million loan to Nyaho Medical Centre to support the Ghanaian health care provider’s expansion outside Accra and the upgrade of its existing hospital so it can better serve its patients.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) launched a large-scale food and nutrition intervention to assist nearly one million people in the northern and central regions of Mali.

The Centurion Law Group has been engaged to institute legal action against American multinational health care company Abbott Laboratories for willfully undersupplying African suppliers of COVID-19 test kits

Africa’s growth stands to rebound to 3% in 2021, provided that governments manage the COVID-19 infection rate well, African Development Bank says in African Economic Outlook 2020 Supplement.

China Yutong Bus has donated more than 1.2 million medical masks to African countries and shared the experience of public transport pandemic prevention in China.

Merck, a science and technology company has appointed Ramsey Morad as Regional Vice President for the Healthcare business in Middle East, Africa, Turkey and Russia & CIS.

An EU Humanitarian Air Bridge flight arrived in Mogadishu from Brindisi, Italy, carrying humanitarian and medical supplies provided by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Orange Egypt has announced its cooperation with TABIBI clinics to avail the necessary health support to Orange customers.

Merck Foundation in partnership with African First Ladies and Ministries of Health, continue to provide one, two- and three-year Oncology Fellowship and Master degree for African doctors through their Cancer Access Program.

Psychologically, the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted our emotions, our thought processes and ultimately our behavior.

A funding shortfall of $158 million this year is threatening millions of people in Ethiopia who depend on food and nutrition assistance for their very survival, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warns.

Ecobank Group has announced its commitment to support ending malaria, launching the first-of-its-kind Zero Malaria Business Leadership Initiative in partnership.

The Eastern Africa National Networks of AIDS and Health Service Organizations (EANNASO) announced the launch of its East Africa Wananchi Digital Health Platform (AFYA).

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has launched cash transfers and nutrition support for more than a quarter of a million people struggling to survive from the impact of COVID-19 on informal settlements in Nairobi.

First Aid Africa and Renovagen Ltd have announced the success of a rapid response project to support testing operations in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in Zambia.

A mobile-based tool for two-way information and communication between citizens and governments during the coronavirus pandemic has been launched.

IFC, IFU and PROPARCO are providing an equity financing package of up to $108.5 million to Humania, a private healthcare company, to help improve medical care in Egypt and Morocco.

Del Monte Kenya Limited has unveiled a six bed isolation room to be used in the event of employees exhibiting Corona virus symptoms before they are referred to the Government health facilities.

The World Bank approved $315 million from the International Development Association (IDA) to support job creation, skills development and digital transformation in Ghana.

As a sign of its strong commitment to Africa, the World Bank’s Sub-Saharan Africa Regional portfolio will now be managed by two Vice Presidents, covering Western and Central and Eastern and Southern Africa, respectively.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and World Food Programme (WFP) have launched a three-year partnership in Ethiopia to support the Government in preventing acute malnutrition in children and mothers.

Newly launched Africa Communication and Information Platform for Health and Economic Action (ACIP) has the capability of reaching between 600 million and 800 million mobile subscribers in Africa.

The African Development Bank approved the reallocation of $3 million in loan resources to help Togo purchase agricultural inputs to enhance food security in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Virgin Group, Virgin Atlantic, and Virgin Unite – the Virgin Group's not-for-profit Foundation – are supporting UNICEF and the World Food Programme-led Global Common Supply Chain Services Provision.

The German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has provided $5.9 million for the UN World Food Programme (WFP) to continue protecting 1.2 million vulnerable African farmers with climate risk insurance.

Predicted to grow at an annual growth rate of 8.3 per cent during the forecast period, the global Embolic Protection Devices Market is estimated to reach $604.9 million by 2023.

COVID-19 is accelerating in Africa, with more than 200,000 cases and more than 5,600 deaths, as reported by the regional office for the World Health Organization (WHO).

The Internet Society Foundation has launched a new grant programme that aims to expand economic growth, improve health outcomes, and increase educational opportunities.

In a bid to strengthen the capacity of players in the Nigerian healthcare sector, Access Bank, under the auspices of the Central Bank of Nigeria, will be issuing loans, worth up to N100bn.

The Development Bank of Southern Africa and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research are set to work together to develop technologies and infrastructure to support socio-economic development in South Africa.

USAID E-WASH announced partnership with the Nigerian Bottling Company to strengthen and expand the delivery of safe drinking water in Nigeria’s urban cities.

For the first time since 2018, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has managed to send a humanitarian convoy from Kenya directly into South Sudan via the Nadapal Border crossing just as hunger is peaking in the country.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has partnered with the National Office for Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) in Morocco to speed up the construction of a water treatment plant.

Access Bank, under the auspices of the Central Bank of Nigeria, will be issuing loans, worth up to N100 billion, approximately $260 million.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has introduces the Healthcare Sector Research and Development Intervention Scheme (HSRDIS) to help strengthen the public healthcare system.

The African Development Bank has approved Nigeria’s Country Strategy Paper (CSP) 2020-2024, which builds on the successes and challenges of the 2013-2019 edition, and incorporates emerging developmental realities and opportunities.

More than 150 trained Red Cross volunteers have been deployed as part of a first wave of response to the latest Ebola outbreak in the Équateur Province, in the western part of Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The African Development Bank granted Abidjan a funding of $13.55 million to support the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic within the Economic and Monetary Community Central Africa (CEMAC) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Evonik has agreed with Swedish manufacturer, Perstorp, that it will be the exclusive distributor of ProPhorce™ SR 130 in Southern Africa.

The African Development Bank approved an emergency project in favor of low-income countries members of ECOWAS for strengthening the health systems of The Gambia, Mali and Niger.

The Government of Tanzania and the French Development Agency (AFD) signed a financing agreement for a 70M€ concessional loan aiming at improving water supply and sanitation services for the residents of Morogoro Municipality.

The WFP in Niger welcomed an additional €24 million contribution from Germany to scale-up resilience building at a time when Niger is facing the socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 health pandemic on food security.

Vodacom has become the first telco globally to zero-rate the lifesaving addressing technology, what3words, for its more than 43 million subscribers across South Africa.

Nu Menu Solutions has introduced two products which will help in ensuring the safety and health of individuals in public.

The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) are strengthening their partnership through formalised technical cooperation to accelerate technology development in Africa.

Urgent action is needed to safeguard the biodiversity of the world's forests amid alarming rates of deforestation and degradation, according to the latest edition of The State of the World's Forests.

The World Bank has approved a $54 million International Development Association (IDA) credit to improve health service delivery to women, children, and adolescents in Liberia.

South African Basic Education Minister said schools will reopen on 1 June 2020 with Grade7, Grade 12 and small schools being the first learners to return to the classroom.

Tunisia has launched a contact-tracing mobile phone app that identifies and alerts users who may have had contact with others infected with the new coronavirus.

Villgro Kenya announced an investment of $50,000 to The Pathology Network, a digital referral platform for pathologists in Kenya.

With $9 million in philanthropic support, an international group of physicians and scientists is establishing a research network to evaluate promising therapies for COVID-19.

Orange Egypt announced its contribution to maintain and repair medical ventilators as part of the “Breathe” campaign in cooperation with the Egyptian Cure Bank and under the supervision of the Ministry of Health.

As businesses across the country start returning to work, the safety of employees and customers is of paramount importance; Vodacom has created specific digital solutions to support businesses as they navigate their return to work.

Every year, some nine million people worldwide – equivalent to the population of Austria – die of hunger or hunger-related diseases.

It is becoming clear that most – if not all – our major social, economic and political decisions over the next few years will be made through the prism of the coronavirus and the ripple effects of the pandemic.

Telkom Kenya customers will now have convenient and subsidised access to medical consultations through its partnership with Valentis Health, a doctor-founded healthcare service providing telemedicine.

The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is seeking $350 million to scale up hunger-fighting and livelihoods-boosting activities in food crisis contexts where COVID-19's impact could be devastating.

Khaltsha Cycles and Avalanche Bicycle Company have come together to launch the Heroes on Bikes campaign to raise funds towards supporting essential workers.

The South African Department of Health has announced the appointment of Dr Sandile Buthelezi as its Director-General.

COVID-19 will trigger a sharp drop in household incomes in Middle East and North African (MENA) countries that are fragile and in conflict situations, such as Afghanistan, Djibouti, Iraq, Lebanon, Sudan, and Somalia.

Against the backdrop of a devastating pandemic, the global economy is projected to contract sharply by 3.2 per cent this year, according to the United Nations World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) mid-2020 report.

In light of the coronavirus pandemic, it has become even more critical for organizations to properly manage the impact of a disaster.

Norway has pledged to do more to assist these countries strengthen their health systems and assist vulnerable people,’ said Minister of International Development Dag-Inge Ulstein.

The South African Minister for Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development announced the outbreak of African Swine Fever at Amathole District Municipality in Eastern Cape.

Cigna Corporation, a global health services company, has appointed Jerome Droesch as Chief Executive Officer for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region.

Germany has reaffirmed its commitment to the long-term improvement of livelihoods and food security in Mali through an EUR 11 million contribution to the United Nations World Food Programme’s life-changing activities in the country.

Liquid Telecom Zambia is supporting the Ministry of Health with free internet connectivity at COVID-19 quarantine centres.

More than 127 million pre-primary, primary, and secondary school students in Eastern and Southern Africa, who are supposed to return to school this week, remain at home, due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The World Bank approved a $100 million grant for the Malawi Governance to Enable Service Delivery Project with the objective of strengthening Local Authorities’ institutional performance, responsiveness to citizens, and management of resources.

Safaricom will provide communication resources equivalent to 195 terabytes of data, 10 million voice call minutes and 33 million SMSs to critical Government healthcare workers for the next three months.