COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN A GLOBALIZED WORLD: THE FUTURE OF AFRICA

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic is affecting global economies. Some key sectors of the world’s economy are already experiencing a slowdown because of it. Tourism, air transport, education and the oil sectors are visibly impacted. Globalization, on the other hand, has become an integral of human existence. No nation of the world no matter how economically buoyant can live and grow in isolation. Covid-19 Pandemic and Globalization remains challenges that will preoccupy emerging nations of the world that aspire to attain the status of a developed nation. Drawing from the African experience and taking advantage of the rich scholarship on globalization in Africa, this research examines the threats posed by Covid- 19 Pandemic and globalization on the continent’s socioeconomic development. More specifically, this paper gives an overview of how to resolve the crisis of Covid-19 Pandemic and globalization among African nations. The paper suggests that political stability, constant power supply, laws to fight corruption, human capital development, bilateral relation etc, are major factors that will catapult African nations to developed nations in this inevitable globalized world. It concludes that if necessary, measures are not put in place, Africa may be excluded in this era, and globalization of poverty rather than prosperity will occur. In the light of the researcher’s findings, Covid-19 Pandemic is an additional “invention” for socio-economic enslavement of the African people. To achieve these objectives, this study adopts the method of content analysis of relevant existing literature; materials, tables, and news reports to draw up conclusion based on the researcher’s area of interest. Among other suggestions, this paper calls for international cooperation and collaboration in constructive responses to Covid-19 and to save Africa’s economies from imminent collapse.