Covid-19 pandemic raises many concerns in Africa, survey finds

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A survey published by the Deloitte firm, the OpinionWay polling institute and the 35 ° North consultancy agency, entitled "African public opinion facing the Covid-19 crisis", reflects the many concerns among the population of the continent in relation to the pandemic. Fear of contamination by the coronavirus predominates. 

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Eight out of ten respondents say they are worried or very worried about the current pandemic. Fears are also linked to the coming economic and social crisis. In total, 60% of respondents believe that the economic situation of their country will deteriorate "  while the continent has been for twenty years on a dynamic of sustained growth and confidence in the future  ", as noted by study authors.

This survey was carried out between 2 and 14 May 2020 in eight countries - South Africa, Algeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Morocco, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Nigeria - among 500 people on average by country, ie 4,017 people in total, representative of the population aged 18 and over.

More than one in two respondents also anticipates a deterioration of their professional or business situation as well as a drop in income. These fears are more often expressed in poor populations and in the countryside.
Very specific concerns about the consequences of the crisis are emerging: fear of seeing poverty explode and fear of a food crisis, particularly with regard to the lack of basic necessities such as rice, flour, vegetables or oil.

For Hugues Cazenave, President of OpinionWay, "  the specter of a return to hunger riots, as in 2008 in certain countries, probably contributes to reinforcing these worries  ".

Despite this gloomy picture, the survey highlights strong public support for the measures taken in response to the crisis. Over 85% of those polled in Morocco, Ivory Coast or even in the DRC show their confidence in their government.

► Read also: Coronavirus: Africa facing the pandemic on Tuesday June 2

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