Critically Assessing the Effect of COVID-19 beyond the Pandemic: The Social and Economic Impacts in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

ABSTRACT With the increased level of unemployment rates experienced during the Great Depression, many households and employees across the world are reorienting themselves in the face of an uncertain future due to the economic challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this study was to explore the social and economic impacts of COVID-19 in Sub-Saharan Africa while looking at the strategic approaches embraced by governments in responding, monitoring, and alleviating the socio-economic effects of COVID-19. This is largely based on debates and information sharing, given the insight that looks at priority issues, such as financial support to small and medium scale enterprises since lockdown in many African states. This research is a qualitative study that primarily collected its data and analyses them through the content data analysis method. The researchers found increasing impacts of COVID-19 on many states’ economies. African governments need to take charge of the opportunity to build stable economic systems.