THE COVID19 OPPORTUNITIES

The Covid19 pandemic is a tragedy. A health tragedy for those affected directly or indirectly, and a financial tragedy for most because of near universal lockdowns. The impact resonates at every level: personal, national, regional and global. However, as the saying goes: “Never let a good crisis go to waste”. After +8 weeks lockdown and the peak behind us in New Jersey, I can’t help to ponder on one key question. What are the real opportunities for this crisis? 

At the personal level, the lockdown has been a period of high stress mingled with self-reflection. High stress to keep safe despite the rising number of infected people around us. Maintaining positive energy. Reassuring those with me. Ensuring enough stock for foods and essentials. Fortunately the body might be in lockdown but the mind doesn’t have to be. The empty time space led to deeper introspection. it is liberating not to be "busy getting busy" in the traditional corporate sense. It is a good time to look inside for answers. I also find it a perfect time for spiritual awakening. 

On the social front, the pandemic is strengthening family bonds for many but also revealing cracks for others. For me, it was rather the former. When else would you expect to spent days and weeks with teenagers in the house with no escape for them? Everyone has come up with a new appreciation for our family tradition of Friday movie night. There is also greater appreciation of the importance of relying on each other to overcome challenges. Beyond family, social distancing is often leading to some emotional closeness. I have had old friends reaching out to whom I have not spoken for ages. The circle of solidarity in the community is also growing. I have found people to be more respective and more understanding as well.  

At a national level, the United States of America, quickly became the epicenter of the global pandemic surpassing China and western Europe. Moreover, those most affected are African-American and Hispanic minorities. How was the most economically powerful country on Earth unable to manage the pandemic growth and protect its most vulnerable? I think it is an easy answer to point a finger at Trump and his failure to respond quickly. That’s the easy way out. The political way. But the answer requires a deeper analysis. Structural and social issues resulting from decades of political infighting and a lack of a clear vision for a united America? I hope this will serve as a reminder that America cannot sustain until it takes care of all of its children. 

At the global level, Covid19 has become an equalizer when it comes to contamination. It infects people from every country, race, or economic status equally. White, Black, Asian, Muslim, Christian, Jew, rich, or poor. We are all equal to Sir Covid19. If we want to have a chance to defeat him, we have to come together as one community. Despite most borders closed and travel almost to a halt, no single country can solve this alone. Without such global coordination, the threat of a COVID19 or any future COVIDXX is real. We could face another one even more devastating than the 19. This is the time to come together as one. 

Africa, my home continent, has been little affected so far although many countries will suffer financially because of the lockdown. The continent needs to leverage this opportunity to reposition itself on the global scene. It's difficult to predict what a post-COVID19 world will look like, but we can safely bet that it will not be the same anymore. Travel for once will certainly be affected as after 9/11. New social norms will emerge. Remote working will become a reality for many and the future of hand shaking is looking very bleak. 

This is a real opportunity for Africa to accelerate the digital transformation with the goal of developing locally relevant solutions. The level of imagination and creativity demonstrated by many young entrepreneurs on the continent during this crisis has been very exciting to watch. We need to focus on improving our telecom infrastructures, ensuring affordability for data and mobile/equipment, building talents to develop the right content, product and services for the people. We need to identify and fund innovation that works for us. Innovation that can support the much needed upgrade of our healthcare and educations systems. We have indeed discovered that we are on our own when it comes to global disaster. If we don’t get our act right, we will pay the heavy price with no one to blame but ourselves. We have been “lucky” this time. If things had skyrocketed in Africa, it would have been impossible to ask for help when everyone else in the world in struggling to find a solution. As in World War I and II, Africans are realizing that Europe or USA are not the places to run to for solutions. Covid19 is greatly testing the mirage of London and Paris as the El Dorado for African immigrants. I hope young Africans will be given a chance and will find a way to build their future on the continent post Covid19. 

There is much work to do and massive investment required for this to become a reality. This investment cannot come from another loan but rather from effective management of existing debts. The meagre resources in our countries should be devoted to effectively responding to the Covid19 and preparing for the post Covid19 period not for repayment of existing debts that devour our countries budget. Debt renegotiation and cancellation is a must. I hope this will be a top priority for the newly formed Africa Covid19 task force.

Urgency and decisiveness are much needed to leverage these opportunities. I am actually positive that we shall overcome COVID19 soon. What I am less certain is that we will leverage all the opportunities this crisis is bringing us. in any case, as we are separating physically, i hope we can get more connected mentally and emotionally.