Regional policy monitor

The regional economic communities (RECs) and the African Union, as well as interested stakeholders, have responded to the Coronavirus (COVID-19)  pandemic and its impacts for trade across the continent. Below is a non-exhaustive list of regional responses, updated regularly from official sources.

Last updated: 8 December 2020 - 22:00 Southern African Standard Time

• COMESA

  pdf COVID-19 Measures in Place in COMESA Member States: 32nd Edition (1.95 MB) - 4 December 2020

  • pdf 31st Edition (809 KB) - 27 November 2020

  • pdf 30th Edition (780 KB)  - 13 November 2020

  • pdf 27th Edition (725 KB) - 23 October 2020

  • pdf 26th Edition (690 KB) - 16 October 2020

  • pdf 25th Edition (732 KB) - 9 October 2020

  • pdf 24th Edition (693 KB) - 2 October 2020

  • pdf 23rd Edition (3.44 MB) - 25 September 2020

  • pdf 22nd Edition (2.53 MB) - 18 September 2020

  • pdf 21st Edition (1.34 MB) - 11 September 2020

  • pdf 20th Edition (2.42 MB) - 4 September 2020

  • pdf 19th Edition (2.53 MB) - 28 August 2020

  • pdf 18th Edition (2.62 MB)  - 21 August 2020

  • pdf 17th Edition (2.30 MB) - 14 August 2020

  • pdf 16th Edition (548 KB) - 31 July 2020

  • pdf 15th Edition (540 KB) - 17 July 2020

  • pdf 14th Edition (542 KB) - 10 July 2017

  • pdf 13th Edition (734 KB) - 3 July 2020

  • pdf 12th Edition (1.70 MB) - 26 June 2020

  • pdf 11th Edition (1.53 MB) - 19 June 2020

  • pdf 10th Edition (1.53 MB)  - 12 June 2020

  • pdf 9th Edition (1.47 MB)  - 5 June 2020

  • pdf 8th Edition (1.43 MB)  - 29 May 2020

  • pdf 7th Edition (2.40 MB) - 22 May 2020

  • pdf 6th Edition (1.51 MB) - 15 May 2020

  • pdf 5th Edition (724 KB)  - 9 May 2020

  • pdf 4th Edition (1.79 MB)  - 30 April 2020

  • pdf 3rd Edition (1.41 MB) - 24 April 2020

  • pdf 2nd Edition (1.45 MB) - 17 April 2020

  • pdf First Edition (1.08 MB) - 7 April 2020

  pdf Implications of COVID 19 Pandemic on Debt for Sub-Saharan African Countries: COMESA Special Report (519 KB)  - December 2020

  pdf COVID-19 in COMESA Situational Update No. 39: Five Countries have Maintained Lead in COVID-19 Cases (1.64 MB)  - December 2020

  pdf How COMESA Can Mitigate Negative Effects of Covid-19 Pandemic on Trade: COMESA Special Report (322 KB)  - November 2020

  pdf Fiscal Policy Responses Limit COVID-19’s Economic Damage: COMESA Special Report (796 KB) - October 2020

  pdf Economic Impact of Covid-19 on MSMEs in Africa and Policy Options for Mitigation: COMESA Special Report (346 KB)  - August 2020

  pdf The Role of Trade Finance in Promoting Trade - Implications of COVID-19 on Trade Finance in Africa: Special Report (392 KB)  - July 2020

  pdf Adoption of ICT is Critical in Post Covid-19 Trade Facilitation Programmes in COMESA Region: Special Report (306 KB) - July 2020

  pdf Global Value Chain as a Vehicle for Development in Africa: COMESA Special Report (485 KB)  - June 2020

  pdf Why COMESA Trade In Services Should Be Cushioned From The Impacts Of Covid-19 Pandemic: Special report (285 KB)  - June 2020

  pdf Diaspora Remittances Critical for COVID-19 Recovery: COMESA Special Report (597 KB) - June 2020

  pdf Macroeconomic Impacts of COVID-19 in Sub-Saharan Africa: COMESA Special Report (785 KB) - June 2020

  pdf COVID-19 Pandemic and its Potential Impact on The Health Sector in the COMESA Region: Special Report (1.13 MB) - May 2020

  pdf COMESA News Vol. 1/2020: Bracing for COVID-19’s Impact and the Aftermath (2.01 MB)

  pdf Guidelines for the Movement of Goods and Services Across COMESA Region During COVID-19 Pandemic (740 KB) - May 2020

  pdf COMESA Adopts Regional Guidelines for the Movement of Goods and Services Across Borders During COVID-19 (CBC) (1.30 MB)  - May 2020

  pdf COMESA Business Position Statement: Facilitating the Movement of Essential Goods and Services Across Borders During The Period of COVID-19 Pandemic (341 KB) - 17 April 2020

  pdf COVID-19 in COMESA: Update (602 KB) - 31 March 2020

  pdf Why Africa Must Brace Itself for Devastating Secondary Effects of the COVID-19 (511 KB) - COMESA Report, March 2020

• EAC

  pdf EAC Partner States adopt import duty measures to boost local production amidst COVID-19 pandemic (171 KB)  - EABC Brief on EAC Gazette, 30 June 2020

  pdf Additional Measures Announced by EAC Partner States in Response to COVID-19 and Their Implications (437 KB)  - EABC, 14 May 2020

  pdf Impact of COVID-19 on the Agriculture Sector in the EAC (1.50 MB) - EABC Brief, May 2020

  pdf Heads of State Consultative Meeting of the EAC: Communiqué (181 KB) - 12 May 2020

  pdf Communiqué of Private Sector Associations on Free Movement of Cargo Across Borders in the EAC Region During COVID-19 (76 KB)  - 5 May 2020

  pdf Cross-border movement of cargo within EAC during the COVID-19 pandemic (513 KB) - Joint Statement, 1 May 2020

  pdf Revised Communiqué of Private Sector Associations on Free Movement of Cargo Across Borders in the EAC Region During COVID-19 (88 KB)  - 28 April 2020

  pdf EABC Snapshot Survey on the Impact of COVID-19 on Business and Investment in the EAC (851 KB)  - 27 April 2020

  pdf EAC COVID-19 Response Plan, April 2020 (1.94 MB)

  pdf Impact of COVID-19 on EAC trade (2.25 MB) - EABC Brief, 24 April 2020

  pdf EAC Administrative Guidelines to Facilitate Movement of Goods and Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic (8.87 MB) - April 2020

  pdf Impact of COVID-19 on EAC transport and logistics sector (1.05 MB) - EABC Brief, April 2020

  pdf Summary of Private Sector Recommendations on mitigating the impact of COVID-19 in the EAC region (75 KB) - EABC, April 2020

  pdf Private Sector Recommendations to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic (1.00 MB) - EABC, April 2020

  pdf Private Sector response initiatives to combat COVID-19 (3.17 MB) - EABC, April 2020

  pdf Joint Statement: Ministers Responsible for Health and EAC Affairs on Covid-19 Preparedness and Response in the EAC region (1.46 MB) - 25 March 2020

• SADC

  pdf SADC Regional Response to COVID-19 Pandemic Bulletin No. 14: With focus on Health, Law Enforcement and Security; and Food, Nutrition Security and Livelihoods Sectors (5.86 MB) - October 2020

  pdf SADC Regional Response to COVID-19 Pandemic Bulletin No. 13: With focus on Global Vaccines Initiatives, Law Enforcement and Security, Standards and Quality as well as post-COVID-19 recovery initiatives (4.14 MB) - September 2020

  pdf SADC Regional Response to COVID-19 Pandemic Bulletin No. 12: With focus on ICT, Economic Perspectives, Transport and Trade Facilitation Sectors (1.02 MB) - September 2020

  pdf SADC Regional Response to COVID-19 Pandemic Bulletin No. 11: With focus on Health, Transport and Food Security Sectors (1.37 MB) - August 2020

  pdf SADC Regional Response to COVID-19 Bulletin No. 10: With special focus on Energy and Education Sectors as well as developments in Traditional Medicines Research in Africa (3.14 MB)  - August 2020

  pdf SADC Regional Response to COVID-19 Bulletin No. 9: With focus on health system, labour, food security, law enforcement, air travel, transport and trade facilitation in the region (3.25 MB)  - July 2020

  pdf SADC Regional Response to COVID-19 Bulletin No. 8: Global and SADC regional outlook of COVID-19 Pandemic; interactions between COVID-19, HIV/AIDS and TB, and its Impact on Economic, Energy and Natural Resources Sectors (3.07 MB) - July 2020

  pdf SADC Guidelines on Harmonisation and Facilitation of Cross-Border Transport Operations across the Region During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Revision) (532 KB) - 23 June 2020

  pdf SADC Regional Standard Operating Procedures for Management and Monitoring of Cross-Border Road Transport at Designated Points of Entry and COVID-19 Checkpoints (310 KB) - 23 June 2020

  pdf SADC Regional Response to COVID 19 Bulletin No. 7: Special focus on transport and trade facilitation, climate change and environment (3.52 MB) - June 2020

  pdf SADC Business Council: Communiqué from Private Sector and Business Associations in SADC on COVID-19 Trade Challenges and Post Recovery Strategies (76 KB) - 10 June 2020

  pdf SADC Regional Response to COVID-19 Bulletin No. 6: Specific focus on Fisheries and Aquaculture Value Chains (4.36 MB) - June 2020

  pdf Outcome of SADC Council of Ministers Virtual Meeting (311 KB) - 29 May 2020

  pdf Outcome Statement: Joint Meeting of SADC Ministers of Agriculture and Food Security, and Fisheries and Aquaculture (45 KB) - 22 May 2020

  pdf SADC Regional Response to COVID-19 Bulletin No. 5 (3.48 MB)  - May 2020

  pdf SADC Regional Response to COVID-19 Bulletin No. 4 (264 KB)  - May 2020

  pdf Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on SADC Economy: Volume 1 (4.40 MB)  - April 2020

  pdf SADC Regional Response to COVID-19 Bulletin No. 3: Report on the COVID-19 Pandemic in the SADC region (584 KB) - April 2020

  pdf SADC Regional Response to COVID-19 Bulletin No. 2: An Analysis of the Regional Situation and Impact (6.15 MB) - April 2020

  pdf SADC Regional Response to COVID-19 Pandemic (1.79 MB) - April 2020

  pdf SADC Guidelines on Cross-Border Transport during COVID-19 (390 KB)  - adopted 6 April 2020

  pdf SADC Private Sector Communiqué on COVID-19 (77 KB) - 1 April 2020

• Tripartite States – COMESA, EAC and SADC

  pdf Tripartite Guidelines on trade and transport facilitation for the movement of persons, goods and services across the tripartite region during COVID-19 pandemic (651 KB) - 29 July 2020

  pdf Tripartite Transport Facilitation Programme: Response to COVID-19 pandemic impacts on trade and transport facilitation in Eastern and Southern Africa Region (401 KB) - July 2020

  pdf Joint Position Statement by the COMESA Business Council (CBC) and SADC BC on addressing trade restrictive measures during COVID-19 (159 KB) - June 2020

  pdf Statement of Solidarity with Tripartite Member/Partner States on COVID-19 Crisis (2.61 MB) - 22 April 2020

  pdf Allocution de solidarité avec les états membres/partenaies de la tripartite sur la crise de COVID-19 (124 KB)  - 22 April 2020

• ECOWAS and west Africa

  pdf ECOWAS Guidelines for the Harmonisation and Facilitation of Cross-Border Trade and Transport in the ECOWAS Region on the COVID-19 Pandemic and Related Post-Recovery Actions (927 KB) - June 2020

  pdf COVID-19 ECOWAS Ministerial Coordinating Committee Recommends Gradual and Coordinated Opening of Borders (71 KB) - 18 June 2020

  pdf Final press release: Meeting of Ministers of Transport of the Member States of the Union (French) (1.12 MB) - 28 May 2020

  pdf Study report on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the UEMOA private sector (French) (8.22 MB) - May 2020

  pdf Final Communiqué: Extraordinary Session of the Heads of State and Government of the WAEMU (149 KB) - 27 April 2020

  pdf Declaration of the WAEMU Conference of Heads of State and Government on the Convergence, Stability, Growth and Solidarity Pact (215 KB) - 27 April 2020

  pdf Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government Videoconference: Final Communiqué (560 KB) - 23 April 2020

  pdf ECOWAS Communique No. 02 on The Fight Against The Coronavirus Disease (640 KB)  - 6 April 2020

• ECCAS and central Africa

  pdf 9th Extraordinary Session of the Council of Ministers of ECCAS: Final Communiqué (1.95 MB) - 4 June 2020

  pdf ECCAS General Secretariat: 3rd Strategic Crisis Meeting on COVID-19 and its impacts (113 KB) - 27 April 2020

  pdf Third Special Session of the Steering Committee of the Economic and Financial Reform Programme of CEMAC on COVID-19 (French) (65 KB)  - 28 March 2020

  pdf Bank of Central African States: Communiqué (French) (1.09 MB) - 27 March 2020

  pdf CEMAC Communiqué from the President of the Commission relating to Coronavirus (French) (250 KB)  - 18 March 2020

• IGAD

  pdf Ministerial Statement on the Impact of COVID-19 on People on the Move in the IGAD Region (100 KB) - 2 September 2020

  pdf Final Communiqué of the 36th IGAD Heads of State and Government Meeting (885 KB) - 14 July 2020

  pdf Communiqué of the 71st IGAD Council of Ministers Meeting (119 KB) - 23 April 2020

  pdf Call for Action on COVID-19: IGAD for Ministers of Finance (409 KB) - April 2020

  pdf Call for Action by IGAD Health Ministers on Response to COVID-19 pandemic (346 KB)  - 8 April 2020

  pdf Final Declaration on the IGAD Response to COVID-19 Pandemic (114 KB) - 30 March 2020

• Arab Maghreb Union

  pdf AMU Secretary General’s Speech at the Consultative Meeting on COVID-19 (Arabic) (97 KB) - 19 May 2020

• International Conference on the Great Lakes Region

  pdf The UN, ICGLR, SADC, AU and Regional and International Partners Discuss Collective Actions against COVID-19 in Support to the Countries of the Great Lakes Region (97 KB) - 18 June 2020

  pdf ICGLR Executive Secretary Press Release on Coronavirus (877 KB) - 3 April 2020

  pdf ICGLR Executive Secretary Press Release on Coronavirus (French) (966 KB) - 3 April 2020

• African Union

  pdf Communiqué of the teleconference between the African Union Commission, the F15 Finance Ministers and the AU Special Envoys for the mobilization of international support for Africa's response to the COVID-19 pandemic (189 KB) - 23 October 2020

  pdf Saving Lives, Economies and Livelihoods (807 KB) - Africa CDC Pamphlet, October 2020

  pdf Communiqué of the Teleconference Meeting of the Bureau of the Assembly of the African Union Heads of State and Government with Chairpersons of RECs (173 KB) - 20 August 2020

  pdf Strategies for managing acute shortages of personal protective equipment during COVID-19 pandemic (322 KB)  - Africa CDC, July 2020

  pdf Communiqué of the Meeting of the Bureau of the Assembly Heads of State & Government With Chairpersons of the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) (396 KB) - 11 June 2020

  pdf Africa CDC Guidance on Easing Lockdown (French) (400 KB) - June 2020

  pdf Africa CDC Guidance on Easing Lockdown (455 KB) - June 2020

  pdf Communiqué of the Joint Ministerial Meeting of Ministers of Finance and Ministers of Health (182 KB) - 3 June 2020

  pdf AU Guidelines on Gender Responsive Responses to COVID-19 (1.59 MB) - June 2020

  pdf Communiqué of the Teleconference Meeting of the Bureau of the AU Assembly Heads of State and Government with Chairpersons of the RECs (251 KB)  - 29 Apr 2020

  pdf Communiqué of the Bureau of the AU Assembly Heads of State and Government Video Conference with African Business Leaders on COVID-19 (397 KB) - 22 April 2020

  pdf Joint Statement to International Civil Aviation Organization on the Need to Support the Continental Strategy on COVID-19 (278 KB) - April 2020

  pdf African Union Commission, Afreximbank, Afrochampions and UNECA Joint Communiqué on the Need for A Holistic and Coordinated Trade and Investment Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic (1.20 MB) - 18 April 2020

  pdf Will COVID-19 derail AfCFTA start of trading? Preliminary Assessment and Recommendations by AfroChampions (2.97 MB) - April 2020

  pdf Meeting of African Ministers for Agriculture: Declaration on food security and nutrition during the COVID-19 pandemic (377 KB) - 16 April 2020

  pdf AU Chair appoints Special Envoys to mobilise international economic support for continental fight against COVID-19 (133 KB) - 12 April 2020

  pdf Impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) on the African Economy (1.01 MB) - African Union Report, April 2020

  pdf A White Paper on AUDA-NEPAD Response to COVID-19 (6.24 MB)  - April 2020

  pdf Africa Joint Continental Strategy for COVID-19 Outbreak (777 KB) - Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention

  pdf Africa CDC Guidance for Assessment, Monitoring, and Movement Restrictions of People at Risk for COVID-19 (748 KB) - March 2020

  pdf Communiqué of the AU Bureau of Heads of State and Government Teleconference Meeting on COVID-19 (74 KB) - 3 April 2020

  pdf Communiqué of the Bureau of the Assembly of the AU Heads of State and Government Teleconference on COVID-19 (348 KB)  - 26 March 2020

• Additional resources on COVID-19 in Africa

  pdf Pulse Check: Trade Finance in Sub-Saharan Africa during COVID-19 (1.23 MB) - October 2020

  pdf Africa’s Pulse Vol. 22: Charting the road to recovery (5.66 MB) , - World Bank, October 2020

  pdf Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and migrant remittances: Protecting an economic lifeline (1.67 MB)  - UNECA/ONE, September 2020

  pdf Harnessing Innovation and Emerging Technologies to Address the Impact of COVID-19 in Africa (2.22 MB)  - AUDA-NEPAD, August 2020

  pdf Africa trade and Covid‑19: The supply chain dimension (404 KB) - ODI ATPC Working Paper, August 2020

  pdf Facilitating Cross-Border Trade Through a Coordinated African Response to COVID-19 (2.16 MB) - UNECA, August 2020

  pdf African Group Statement on the Implications of COVID-19 (78 KB)  - WTO, 25 June 2020

  pdf Opportunities amid COVID-19: Advancing intra African food integration (1.79 MB) - AfDB Africa Economic Brief, June 2020

  pdf COVID-19 Pandemic: Potential Risks for Trade and Trade Finance in Africa (2.13 MB) - AfDB Africa Economic Brief, June 2020

  pdf Macro-Economic Policy Responses for Building Resilient Economies in Post COVID-19 Africa: Notes for Policymakers (4.76 MB) - AfDB, June 2020

  pdf Macro-Economic Policy Responses for Building Resilient Economies in Post COVID-19 Africa: Summary for Policymakers (4.61 MB) - AfDB, June 2020

  pdf Macro-Economic Policy Responses for Building Resilient Economies in Post COVID-19 Africa: Matrix of Policy Options (2.59 MB) - AfDB, June 2020

  pdf COVID-19 in African cities: Impacts, Responses and Policies - published by UN-HABITAT, UNCDF, UCLG-A Africa and UNECA (1.65 MB)  - June 2020

  pdf Socio-Economic Impact of COVID-19 in Southern Africa (1.29 MB) - UNECA, May 2020

  pdf Economic Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on East African Economies (2.00 MB) - Deloitte, May 2020

  pdf COVID-19 and Trade in SSA: Impacts and Policy Response (2.47 MB) - World Bank Policy Brief

  pdf COVID-19 Trade and related measures and responses in Africa (497 KB)  - tralac Trade Brief

  pdf Communiqué: Regional Impacts and Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic, and the Imperatives for Accelerated Health Integration in Africa (270 KB) - UNECA, 13 May 2020

  pdf Impact of COVID-19 outbreak on supply chains, regional trade, markets and food security in East Africa (7.26 MB) - WFP, 8 May 2020

  pdf Covid-19 and Export Restrictions: the Limits of International Trade Law and Lessons for the AfCFTA (244 KB) - ATPC Policy Brief, May 2020

  pdf Impact of COVID-19 in Africa (1.27 MB) - UN Policy Brief, May 2020

  pdf African regional responses to COVID-19 (1.06 MB)  - ECDPM Discussion Paper, May 2020

  pdf COVID-19 Lockdown exit strategies for Africa: Report (4.51 MB) - UNECA, May 2020

  pdf The African Development Bank Group’s Covid-19 Rapid Response Facility (1.01 MB) - April 2020

  pdf The Impact of Covid-19 on Africa’s Trade and Integration: Commentary by Trudi Hartzenberg (794 KB) - ISPI (Istituto per gli Studi di Politica Internazionale), 9 April 2020

  pdf Africa’s Pulse Vol. 21: Assessing the economic impact of COVID-19 and policy responses in Sub-Saharan Africa (2.99 MB) - World Bank, April 2020

  pdf Trade Responses to the COVID-19 Crisis in Africa (277 KB) - World Bank Trade and COVID-19 Guidance Note, April 2020

  pdf Trade Policies for Africa to Tackle Covid-19 (1.20 MB) - ATPC Briefing Paper, 27 March 2020

Visit the COVID-19 Trade and trade-related measures in Africa page for measures adopted by African countries.