Emerging data about COVID-19 already provides a clear indication that the social and economic consequences of this pandemic will vary greatly across countries and regions. Estimations of R0, the infection rate, suggest that the virus may be spreading more slowly in Africa than it is in many other parts of the world. This may reflect the swift introduction of containment measures in many African countries, including the closure of international borders, and the ready application of experience in dealing with pandemics in the recent past. Nonetheless, the eventual death toll across Africa could still approach 200,000 according to the WHO2. And while a lower rate of transmission may reduce the number of deaths in total, health officials warn of the risk that COVID-19 remains active for a prolonged period in Africa, compared to other parts of the world.