Africa Newsletter 04-10-20

East Africa Update

Government Of Kenya Restricts Movement In and Out Of Nairobi

The government of Kenya has introduced a ban on the movement to and from the Greater Nairobi area as the cases of Covid-19 rise to 184 with 7 confirmed deaths and 12 patients that have recovered. The ban was announced by the president on Monday 6th April and will last 21 days. Supplies for food and cargo are exempt from the directive.

The borders remain open for trade but there has been a slowdown as drivers are tested for any symptoms and are also required to remain in the destination country for 14 days. The maize price in Nairobi is Ksh 3,100 per 90 kg bag.

Locusts Enter North-East Uganda

Uganda is now experiencing a new wave of locusts in the Teso, Lango and Acholi regions of Northern and Eastern part of the country. Authorities in the region have been supported by the Ugandan military as the affected areas have been sprayed. The government had been prepared for the locusts as there had been sights in Western Kenya. The government has urged farmers to continue planting for the coming season.

The government has started donating beans and maize flour to the disadvantaged in the country through the management of the Office of the Prime Minister. Maize is currently trading at UGX 1,150 per kg in Kampala with maize flour trading at UGX 2,300 per kg. Beans are trading at UGX 3,900 per kg in Kampala.

Cassava starch, which is used in the production of beer, is trading at UGX 1,150 per kg with a maximum cyanide content of 10. With the current high maize price, maize grits are trading at UGX 2,500 per kg.

Sub-saharan Africa To Enter Recession

According the The East African Newspaper, the World Bank’s new forecasts expect the region to fall into recession this year due to the economic disruptions from Covid-19 which has seen a slowdown in trade, cuts in exports, low productivity and nationwide lockdowns that have forced people to stay at home to avoid the spread of the disease.

The World’s Biggest Covid-19 Lockdown In India Affects Food Supply

The Wall Street Journal reports on how India’s lockdown has started to affect domestic supplies of food and cargo as the staff required to move these essentials are unable to leave their homes due to the directive from the government. India has seen the largest lockdown, with a population over 1.3 billion, as this has caused disruptions at all major ports that has seen imports and exports affected.

India is a large importer of vegetable oils, pulses, oilseeds such as soybeans and a large exporter of rice, sesame seeds, high protein soybean meal and wheat.