Research and Resources on COVID-19 in Africa
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
Almost two years after the COVID-19 outbreak was declared a pandemic we have yet to gain control of its spread nor fully understand its impact on our personal and professional lives. Vaccines and other developments have raised our hopes but the inequity of their availability and distribution for everyone are stumbling blocks to stemming the tide. According to the World Health Organization, on average in high-income countries, 1 in 4 people have received the vaccine compared to 1 in 500 in low-income countries.
The lack of adequate testing also inhibits a clear picture of infections and mortality. According to the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, six in seven infections in Africa go undetected. As the pandemic has strained human and material resources, it has also highlighted the importance of justice, equity, compassion, empathy, and resilience. As the familiar African proverb reminds us, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." A global collective effort is our best defense to end the pandemic.
Reflecting AGAG’s focus on promoting philanthropy benefitting African communities, we have curated the following information as a resource for funders and other stakeholders.
The reports about the impact on civil society organizations point to an increase in the demand for their services accompanied by a decrease in support. The pandemic’s disruption requires everyone to reimagine the partnership between private philanthropy and civil society organizations.
If you would like to suggest additional resources, please use the form on our contact us page.
Data References
Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Africa CDC is a specialized technical institution of the African Union (AU) . It was established to support public health initiatives of AU Member States and strengthen the capacity of their public health institutions to detect, prevent, control and respond quickly and effectively to disease threats.
Africa CDC Covid-19 Dashboard
The dashboard is a centralized information and data source and provides latest updates about COVID-19 in countries in Africa. It also provides access to the Africa CDC Vaccination Portal with the latest Information on vaccination progress in countries in Africa and the African Union Covid-19 Response Fund established to raise awareness and resources to assist in responding to the pandemic.
Partnership to Evidenced Based Responses to Covid 19 (PERC)
This is a public-private partnership that collects data from African Union Member States about the impact of Covid-19 and publishes country and regional updates based on current data and analysis.
Covid-19 Research Tracker
The Research Tracker includes research reports, resources, and links to information about other organizations working on COVID-19 and its impacts.
COVID-19 Scientific and Public Health Policy Update
The Update provides statistics, news, and resources and is updated bi-weekly.
African Union Weekly Press Briefing
Watch the weekly live press briefing by the African Union on the COVID-19 outbreak
Vaccine Equity
The following are initiatives and resources to promote vaccine equity, stimulate awareness, and lobby governments and international institutions to ensure everyone has access to testing and vaccines.
United Nations Vaccine Equity
Information on the United Nations campaigns to promote vaccine equity.
Pandemic Series
List of 75 short videos from the World Health Organizations on topics ranging from disability considerations to side effects to vaccine equity
Open Letter from the Global Alliance of Foundations
The open letter sent by a group of foundations to the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund called for:
Global action to achieve the World Health Organization’s vaccination targets of at least 40% of the population in low- and middle-income countries by the end of 2021 and 70% by September 2022
High-income country governments to reallocate at least $100 billion in recycled Special Drawing Rights for low-and middle-income countries in 2021
Commitment to a $100 billion replenishment of the World Bank’s International Development Association fund to support pandemic response and economic recovery in the world’s poorest countries.
The Peoples Vaccine
A coalition of organizations and individuals working together to promote vaccine equity and accessibility.
Global Vaccine Equity Social Tool Kit
A social media toolkit by the Ford Foundation to promote vaccine equity and accessibility.
Research and Reports on the Impact on Civil Society Organizations
The following reports focus on the impact of the pandemic on civil society organizations in Africa.
The Impact of COVID-19 on African Civil Society Organizations: Ongoing Uncertainty and a Glimmer of Optimism
Based on a survey of 1,039 civil society organizations (CSOs) in 46 countries this report from EPIC-Africa examines how reduced funding and increased demand for services during the pandemic have restricted the ability of these organizations to provide services for their communities. (October 2021)
A Synthesized Report on the Impact of Covid-19 on Civil Society Organizations in West Africa
Commissioned by the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI), this report examines the pandemic's short-term impact and implications for the long-term sustainability of civil society organizations in West Africa. The report focuses on Cameroon, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. The report is based on survey results, focus groups and interviews. (December 2020)
COVID-19 and Civil Society in West Africa: Assessing impact, responses, and opportunities for post-pandemic recovery
This report is from WACSI's West Africa Policy Dialogue Series webinar on May 20, 2020.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria
Commissioned by the West Africa Civil Society Institute, this research report documents the impact of the pandemic on civil society organizations in Nigeria. It also explores how internal reforms and external support for help organizations to be more resilient. (2021)
Research on Impact and Implications of COVID-19 on Philanthropy work in East Africa
This research was published by the East Africa Philanthropy Network (EAPN) , a regional association based in Kenya that brings together grantmaking and non-grantmaking organizations interested in promoting philanthropy in East Africa. The report synthesizes results from surveys, interviews and secondary data from participants in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. (March 2021)
Impact of Covid-19 on Social Change Organizations in Africa
This research report by the Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation in Nigeria analyzes the survey results from 434 organizations in 27 countries. It examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on organizations working in a range of sectors and areas including women's empowerment, entrepreneurship, and community development. (December 2020)
Impact of Covid-19 on Children's Education in Africa
This report was a written presentation as testimony by Human Rights Watch to the African Union's African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. It summarized the findings of over 50 interviews with students, parents, teachers, and education officials throughout Africa about the impact of the pandemic on children's education. (August 2020)
The Effect of Covid-19 on Education in Africa and its Implications for the use of Technology
This report is based on responses from members of the eLearning Africa Network, a global network of professionals working in Information Communications Technology (ICT) supported education and training. The report highlights the obstacles for students and teachers in the virtual learning environment of the pandemic (September 2020)