The African Development Bank (AfDB) on Wednesday, September 9, approved $27.33 million in grants to boost the African Union’s efforts to mobilise a continental response against Covid-19.

According to a statement from the AfDB, the approval results from a meeting of the extended Bureau of the Conference of Heads of State and Government with Africa’s private sector on April 22.

Akinwumi Adesina said that "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 statement added that the bank’s financing will support the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) in providing technical assistance and building capacity for 37 African Development Fund (ADF) eligible countries.

"The grants will support the implementation of Africa CDC’s COVID-19 Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan through strengthening surveillance at various points of entry (air, sea, and land) in African countries.”

A boost to the continent’s testing capacity

Meanwhile, the grant is expected to support the building of sub-regional and national capacity for epidemiological surveillance, and ensure the availability of testing materials and personal protective equipment for frontline workers deployed in hotspots.

At the beginning of February, according to the statement, only two reference laboratories in Senegal and in South Africa could run tests for Covid-19 on the continent.

However, the capacity has been increased to 44 countries including Rwanda.

The country has so far conducted a total of 451, 408 tests since the first coronavirus case was detected on March 14.

The statement noted that in spite of the progress, Africa’s testing capacity remained low with the 37 ADF-eligible countries accounting for only 40 per cent of completed COVID-19 tests to date.

Wambui Gichuri, Acting Vice President, Agriculture, Human and Social Development, AfDB said: "Our response today and support to 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.”