The African Development Bank (AFDB) will provide financial assistance worth $27.33 million to African Union (AU) as part of the Covid-19 recovery plan for the continent, media reports said.
The financial infusion commitment was made in April at an event called Conference of Heads of State and Government with Africa’s private sector. The Covid-19 Response Fund was established by Mr Moussa Faki Mahamat, AU’s Commission chairperson.
Bank’s president Akinwumi Adesina, told the media, “With this financing package, we are reaffirming our strong commitment to a coordinated African response in the face of Covid-19. Most importantly, we are sending a strong signal that collectively, the continent can address the pandemic, which is straining health systems and causing unprecedented socio-economic impacts on the continent.”
The financial capital is aimed at containing the pandemic and mitigate its impact. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) will use the capital to provide technical assistance and develop the capacity for the 37 African Development Fund. Moreover, the capital will help to boost surveillance at various checkpoints points of entry across the land, sea and air in the continent.
The development will ensure that the frontline workers deployed in hotspots including the development of sub-regional and national capacity for epidemiological surveillance, have access to materials and personal protective equipment.
According to Ms Wambui Gichuri, Ag. Vice President, Agriculture, Human and Social Development, the response and support towards the African Union is timely and will play a crucial role in helping Africa look inward for solutions to build resilience to this pandemic and future outbreaks.