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Restrictions in trade to contain COVID-19 have been devastating for Africa’s urban poor

Restrictions in trade to contain COVID-19 have been devastating for Africa’s urban poor

ASTRID R.N. HAAS, Policy Director, International Growth Centre VICTORIA DELBRIDGE, Head of the Cities that Work initiative, International Growth Centre Trade routes have been significantly disrupted this year in efforts to contain COVID-19. The effects of this are already showing: global growth is set to contract by 4.9% and growth in sub-Saharan Africa will contract by 3.2%. This will get worse if continued restrictions further impede trade. The World Trade Organisation has warned that at worst, global trade could collapse by a third this year, and at best, it will contract by 13%, similar to the recorded drop after the…
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Kenya’s flower industry rebounds as lockdowns ease

Kenya’s flower industry rebounds as lockdowns ease

OMAR MOHAMMED DEMAND for Kenya's flowers has recovered to around 85% of pre-coronavirus levels as European markets open up after lockdowns, an industry body said, spurring hope that the industry could see a full rebound by next year. Kenyan farmers were forced to throw away millions of roses in March as Europe sealed borders and residents put weddings and funerals on hold. But demand is coming back as restrictions ease and growers are hoping it will recover fully by next year, said Clement Tulezi, chief executive of the Kenya Flower Council. "We are better than we were two months ago,…
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