COVID-19

As pandemic eases, LDCs face a long road to recovery
The World Bank warned that recovery will be slower in low-income countries, especially small, fragile and conflict-affected states. This is due to lower vaccination rates, tighter fiscal and monetary policies, and more persistent scarring from the pandemic.

Why foreign direct investment is key to Africa's sustainable recovery
Originally published by the World Economic Forum on 19 August 2021

Opinion: 4 ways to promote vaccine equity through trade
Originally published on Devex on 3 August 2021

Can domestic tourism lay the groundwork for something bigger in Comoros and Djibouti?
In some least developed countries, COVID-19 causing a shift in tourism plans Lake Assal. The Moucha-Maskali Islands. Lake Abbé. Heard of them?

Narrowing the trade finance gap for LDCs
The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated the challenges Least Developed Countries (LDCs) face in accessing vital trade finance, as many have seen their local dollar liquidity shrink while foreign banks take a dimmer - and not always accurate - view of emerging market risk.

How can the “data revolution” work for developing economies?
New World Bank report shows how data could make an impact, and offers pathways to do so

Putting the capacity to produce front and center to spur LDC trade
Looking ahead to the next decade of action to transform economies Thriving economies produce. What they produce could be export commodities, human enterprises, linkages to supply chains, data innovations, i.e. the whole range of things that generate profit today.

Delving deep into trade priorities for least developed countries
Tourism, apparel and sustainable development strategies are covered in new series of policy briefs from the Enhanced Integrated Framework

6 takeaways from WTO's Aid-for-Trade Stocktaking Event for least developed countries
Trade has a critical role to play in rebuilding developing and least developed countries’ economies, alleviating rising poverty and creating a greener, more inclusive future for all.

Global trade rebound suggests some lessons of COVID-19 are being learned
Recovery taking a different shape than expected

Aid for Trade: time to take stock of Covid-19’s impact
A year into Covid-19 being declared a global pandemic, this month’s Aid for Trade stocktaking event, organized by the Development Division of the World Trade Organization (WTO), offers a timely opportunity to assess impact on developing and least developed countries’ (LDC) trade needs, discuss how to make the recovery sustainable and mobilize financing where it is needed most.

On implementing the AfCFTA in 2021
David Luke, Judith Ameso, Mahlet Girma Bekele

What role can sustainability standards play in the post COVID-19 recovery?
Adopting such standards in LDC production offers promise, but work remains

The overlapping crises of climate and COVID-19 demands a renewed solidarity
Originally published by Thomson Reute

Access denied: Ensuring vaccines for the world’s poorest countries
by Brendan Vickers, Salamat Ali, Dr. Neil Balchin, Hilary Enos-Edu

Making global value chains sustainable and enhancing the position of LDCs: A shared responsibility
Multinationals and governments need to recognize the trade world’s interconnectedness, and its impact

Pay cuts and forced overtime: COVID-19 takes heavy toll on Ethiopia's garment workers
Originally published by Thompson Reuters Foundation News on 22 December 2020

Getting bullish on tourism in Burundi
Country embarking on a new tourism strategy as part of its building of trade sector When one thinks about tourism hotspots, Burundi is not the first that comes to mind. But, that doesn’t mean it couldn’t get there.

Can Africa’s third industrial development decade deliver?
As the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic kick in, hopes for better progress, at least in the short term, appear to be fading.

Can digital platforms help mitigate agricultural losses from COVID in Uganda?
The government of Uganda put containment measures in place to tackle COVID-19. These included quarantines; bans on public gatherings and weekly markets; closures of schools, borders and nonessential retail outlets; and the suspension of international flights.

Climbing the ladder under the storm: How the COVID crisis is changing the GVC development strategies of LDCs
The combined and cumulative effect of pre-existing technological, policy and sustainability trends and the current COVID crisis is set to strike a perfect storm in the system of international production and GVCs.

In Cabo Verde, tourism and trade at a crossroads
Cabo Verde is often described as “off the beaten path”, whatever that means. In reality, the tiny country of 10 islands has been on many paths since the 15th century, when Portuguese sailors first stopped in the uninhabited archipelago.

Supporting an evolving ecommerce ecosystem in Myanmar
Myanmar was already moving to get its businesses online. With COVID-19, they were able to speed things up.

How businesses can build resilience to climate impacts and protect the vulnerable throughout value chains
Companies have a key role to play in building societal resilience to crises, including the current pandemic and climate impacts, across their value chains.

LDC tourism: Making strides towards sustainable, resilient recovery from COVID-19
With a sharp decline in tourism in 2020, what does the future look like?

COVID-19 should be the accelerator for e-health in the least developed countries
On transforming healthcare where it’s needed most

Journey back to recovery – Resources to develop tourism sustainably
Originally published by the World Bank on 1st October 2020

Global value chain lens can inform responses to bolster tourism industry in developing countries
The COVID-19 pandemic is a testament to the global value chain (GVC) world we live in; what happens in one country has profound impacts, intended and unintended, across countries.

Scale tangles with agility in African pharma supply chains, unleashing new forces
Medicine retail and logistics in Africa are a highly fragmented business.

Responsible tourism in Tanzania, recommendations for COVID-19 recovery
How can the country build back better?

Women at the Rwanda border
Country's cross-border traders persevere despite COVID-19 challenges

Future-proofing safe trade now urgent for developing countries
COVID-19 is highlighting the interconnectedness of agri-food trade; and work needs to be done to mobilise action to build safe food systems

Boosting African regional value chain development in response to COVID-19: The catalysing role of the AfCFTA
New paper looks at the supply chain dimension of African trade during and post-COVID

Cooperatives help cross border traders stay in business during COVID-19
Originally published by THOMSON REUTERS FOUNDATION NEWS on 18 August 2020

Ugandan ecommerce platforms power recovery from COVID-19 crisis
Partnerships with development agencies and government efforts to boost the digital economy are helping soften the economic blow of the pandemic.

COVID-19 is exacerbating the global trade finance gap
Originally published in World Economic Forum Agenda on 6 July 2020

Looking at LDCs, food and COVID-19
Food products comprise around 17% of LDC merchandise imports – more than double the world average of 8%.

Lessons from LDCs’ responses to COVID-19: From crisis to opportunities?
Originally published in OECD-Development Matters on 6 July 2020

Much more than a health crisis: What EIF has learnt from COVID-19
As LDCs grapple with ongoing economic fallout from COVID-19, EIF activities have yielded valuable insights for recovery.

Blockchain and LDC trade during COVID-19
The macroeconomic context for developing country trade in the time of COVID-19

How can least developed countries attract foreign direct investment in the context of COVID-19?
Ways for LDCs to adapt amid global turmoil

Industries post-COVID-19: A gender-responsive approach to global economic recovery
Women’s specific needs and potential as leaders and agents of change must be considered for COVID-19 mitigation and recovery measures.

COVID-19 and the seed sector: How countries are navigating challenges
OECD’s Seed Schemes are working to protect food systems globally, with important benefits for least developed countries

Cambodia’s digital startups help blunt economic impact of COVID-19
An uptick in business, especially in the delivery of food and essential items, is enhancing resilience in the wake of the crisis.

Unpacking COVID-19-related medical supply chains in Commonwealth LDCs
Although LDCs are home to 13.3% of the world’s population, their share of COVID-19-related medical imports is just 1%.

Time for Asian partners to work together on a global COVID recovery strategy
Six new objectives for regional policy cooperation

COVID-19 and the global contraction in FDI
Originally published by UNIDO in May 2020

Don’t put export bans on medical supplies during COVID-19. Why trade should flow freely to the world’s poorest countries
Originally published in OECD-Development Matters on 28 April 2020

COVID-19 and tourism in Africa’s protected areas: Impacts and recovery needs
COVID-19 has led to a steep decline in business for operators in protected areas, coupled with a substantial drop in future booking requests.

David Laborde: How to help LDCs stay food secure through COVID-19
International Food Policy Research Institute (IFRPRI) Senior Research Fellow discusses the challenges and opportunities for food security in least developed countries amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

Online discussion: Tourism & COVID-19
Tourism is the backbone of many developing world economies, and the sector is being drastically affected by COVID-19. How can countries weather and recover this crisis? What lessons can we take from the past?

Fragile countries call for cooperation in battle against COVID-19
Pandemic response highlights resilience of already-fragile countries

Tourism and COVID-19: An opportunity to rebuild better
Halting of travel devastating sector that is a key driver of growth in the world’s poorest countries

Least developed country vulnerabilities exposed by COVID-19
The world is changing, and so should our support to the world’s poorest countries

When it rains it pours: COVID-19 exacerbates poverty risks in the poorest countries
Originally published by UNCTAD on 7 May 2020

Creating a strong investment climate in the wake of COVID-19
Supply chains are vulnerable, but there is also promise in new sectors for least developed countries

Online discussion: LDC graduation & COVID-19
Only 5 countries have graduated from LDC status since the category was established in 1971. 12 are set to potentially graduate in the coming years, largely based on economic gains. But with COVID-19 slowing economies and trade, is LDC graduation in peril?

Six suggestions for improving support to least developed countries
To get LDC graduation back on track, and to help other LDCs, reform of the international system of support must be fundamental and far-reaching.

South Asian least developed countries: The rocky path to sustainable graduation
How will graduation impact countries in South Asia and the trade support they benefit from? How can they prepare?

COVID-19 hitting tourism hard: What does this mean for the world’s poorest countries?
Examining the potential impact of tourism disruption in LDCs; developing policy recommendations to limit the damage, initiate recovery and build resilience

Online discussion: Fragility & conflict
48% of impoverished people today live in fragile and conflict-affected states, and the number is increasing. COVID-19 has the potential to make the situation even worse. What can countries and global institutions do to stem this tide and improve stability?

How poor countries can deal with the economic shock of COVID-19
Originally published in World Economic Forum Agenda on 24 April 2020

Senegal's ecommerce sector helps country cope with COVID-19
Trade ministry fast-tracks measures to ease access to essential goods and services during the pandemic.

In the world’s poorest countries, the move to digitalize trade procedures is needed now more than ever
COVID-19 is highlighting the need for paperless trade in developing countries; a recent assessment offers recommendations for how to start

West Africa's (eco)tourism initiative: Last chance to protect African biodiversity
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic’s travel impacts, West Africa’s objectives remain valid

COVID-19 and trade: Challenges ahead for least developed countries and Small Island Developing States
Originally published by the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) on 1 April 2020

How can Africa’s trade ministers help combat COVID-19? Lessons from Ebola
Trade ministers are playing an essential role in the pandemic response

What are least developed countries doing in response to COVID-19?
A roundup of recent news on the global pandemic, covering issues facing some of the world’s poorest countries – and what they are doing

Coronavirus is coming for the world's poor. Here are six ways to help.
Originally published in World Economic Forum Agenda on 23 March 2020

COVID-19 in Africa – some reflections on trade matters
Poverty, inequality and exclusion are key factors contributing to the devastating effects of COVID-19 on all African countries.

COVID-19: Trade restrictions are worst possible response to safeguard food security
Originally published by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) on 27 March 2020

COVID-19, least developed countries and financial support
What are international institutions pledging in the wake of the pandemic?

Yes, medical gear depends on global supply chains. Here's how to keep them moving.
Originally published by Peterson Institute for International Economics on 27 March 2020

What’s happening with COVID-19 in LDCs?
A compendium of recent news on the global pandemic and what some of the world’s poorest countries are doing

On tariffs, soap and tackling COVID-19
The right trade policies would help the world combat current pandemic