The economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic could push as many as 39 million more people in Africa into extreme poverty this year, even as the continent’s economy is projected to rebound from its worst slump in half a century.
About 30 million Africans were pushed into extreme poverty in 2020 as a result of the pandemic and even more could follow this year if appropriate support is not provided, the African Development Bank said Friday in its 2021 economic outlook report. This will increase inequality, reverse hard-won gains in poverty reduction and disproportionately affect women, the lender said.
