Africa 54 - May 13, 2020

You are watching Africa 54, your daily news and feature magazine-style program, from the Voice of America. Host Esther Githui-Ewart and a team of correspondents zero in on the big stories making news on the continent and around the world with context and analysis. Top Stories: Across Europe, countries are allowing businesses to reopen – but health officials remain cautious about the risk for moving too quickly and allowing a resurgence of COVID-19 infections. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease expert, told a Senate committee Tuesday, he is concerned that if states skip stages, such as waiting for a two-week decline in confirmed cases before opening up, there will be small spikes that might turn into outbreaks. The United States has the most confirmed coronavirus cases in the world with almost 1.4 million and 82,000 deaths, followed by Russia, with 232,000 cases. Algerian Prime Minister Abdelaziz Djerrad says the country is extending its lockdown restrictions until May 29th, to cope with rising COVID-19 infections. The north African country is reporting nearly 6,000 infections, with 507 deaths and over 2,800 recoveries. South Africa’s Rand firmed in early trading on Wednesday, as investors remained optimistic about chances for easing lockdown restrictions in some countries, despite concerns increases in new coronavirus cases. Worldwide, there are nearly 4.3 million confirmed cases and 292,000 deaths – but almost 1.5 million people have recovered from COVID-19, according to Johns Hopkins University. The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Tanzania has risen to more than 500 and critics are now going after authorities for their handling of the coronavirus pandemic and a lack of transparency. The International Monetary Fund has approved $739 million in emergency financing to help Kenya respond to the economic shock caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The IMF predicts that the east African nation's economy will grow at the rate of one percent. However, analysts say, the more Kenya borrows, the more its people are feeling the economic pinch. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni says his government has worked diligently to keep coronavirus infections low. So far, the country has not recorded any deaths. In an exclusive interview with VOA affiliate NBS-TV, Museveni, however, acknowledged that despite the success in staving off the COVID-19, the disease has impacted Uganda in many ways and could potentially jeopardize the 2021 general election. Critics of President Museveni say he is attempting to capitalize on COVID-19 fears to try further entrench himself in power. For perspective, Africa 54's Paul Ndiho spoke via skype to Mohammad Nsereko, an independent member of parliament for the Kampala Central Region. A54 Technology: A Kenyan social enterprise, Cool4School, which seeks to empower university students with digital tools and resources through the provision of affordable laptop computers, is trying to develop innovative ways to cope with COVID-19. Cool4School offers a financing plan that is bundled into student tuition fees to assist students who cannot otherwise afford the full upfront payment of a laptop. Africa 54's Paul Ndiho spoke to Sankei Ole Kenga, the chief executive officer of Cool4School. #Coronaviurs #Europe #UnitedStates #Senate #DrAnthonyFauci #Algeria #SouthAfrica #Rand #Tanzania #IMF #Kenya #Uganda #YoweriMuseveni #Cool4School