This is the third comprehensive survey on the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impacts on Africa. It takes stock of the consequences for businesses and identifies the challenges they face as well as reporting their responses.

The survey was jointly developed and carried out by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and International Economics Consulting Ltd (IEC).

Outputs of this third survey reveal that while the situation remains difficult, especially in the goods sector, companies appear to have seized the opportunity to accelerate digitalisation, launch new products and switch to local suppliers.

There is optimism for growth in 2021, even if the short term remains uncertain.