The world waited to end the year 2020, and when it finally ticked its last minutes, it was all joy and luminescence.
In different parts of the world, limited celebrations were seen as the new year was ushered in, albeit, with colours and sounds. The excitement that greeted the coming of 2021 isn’t far fetched; 2020 was a difficult year in every ramification.
Africa, like the rest of the world has had to battle the raging COVID-19 pandemic. The disease has resigned nations to fate and sent them grappling with economic difficulties.
In different parts of Africa, economies were grounded and residents were asked to stay indoors. This meant the continent lost a lot of money due to the dearth of activities.
From manufacturing to tourism, the stories were pretty much the same.
Just when it seemed like one problem was enough, the continent was struck with a very nasty food crisis – double whammy!
Managing the coronavirus pandemic has been an ornery experience. Across the continent, more than 2.8m people have been infected while over 60,000 are dead. Governments have been seen flustering, as they seek solutions to the problems.
Climate change, regional unrests, and a heavy locust infestation in East Africa has dipped at least 265m Africans into food insecurity. In Kenya, it is the worst locusts attack in 70 years. These locusts have destroyed 500,000 acres of farmlands.
The unfortunate food crisis championed by climate change and resultant famine has seen at least four million Kenyans battling hunger. In Somalia and Ethiopia, there are at least five million people who find it difficult to feed.
Young children are dying of malnutrition, and where they appear to have a glimmer of hope, their parents are being driven away by war. In South Sudan, almost two million people are being displaced and are in need of food, according to the World Food Programme.
In West Africa, inconsistent and low rainfall have harshly affected production, with at least 24 million people in the bloc at the risk of food crisis by June 2021.
In the Southern part of the continent where South Africa is battling heavy infection rate with over one million cases of coronavirus, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia may soon be battling a food crisis. About 60% of Zimbabwe’s population currently face starvation.
These realities are gnarly and made the year 2020 a visitor whose back Africans desperately wanted to see.
In the year 2021, most African countries are looking to make economic recoveries, with the help of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The continent is being feared to be left behind in the distribution of the vaccines, owing to low financial power, but provisions are being made by top African countries to get in the mix.
Tourism-dependent nations like Madagsacar, Seychelles, and Mauritius are hopeful that the year 2021 will bring more peace and biological tranquility to see them cover lost grounds.
Manufacturing-dependent economies are also hoping the new year will be better with economic projections favouring a likely recovery.
Africa’s two biggest economies, Nigeria and South Africa are battling pandemic – induced recession but have indicated readiness to change the the narrative in 2021. Different countries in the continent have budgeted huge sums of money for the recovery of their economies. If there will be a political will to achieve it, in addition to accountability by leaders, there may be hope.
Many African nations will be holding key elections during the year and some of these are expected to drive development in these countries, if desires transform to reality.
Endless conflicts, terrorism and banditry are still some of Africa’s deepest security challenges and various governments have asked for support in tackling these issues.
Expectations are high across Africa that 2021 will be a better year, and the gory details of the past year will be banished to memory. However, leadership and will are critical factors that will expedite the achievement of these targets.
While the problems persist, Africans battling the second wave of COVID-19 and a food crisis, can only hope it will all be in the past soon.
There are critical situations on the ground, and they need instant and committed plans to help recovery. In 2021, it is hoped that the continent will consolidate on its gains in 2020 and the flailing hope of the people will be steadied.