Africa can have an inclusive, cohesive and sustainable recovery from Covid 26 Jan 2021 Gonzaga Yiga, a community chairperson, appeals to residents through a speaker from the tallest building of the area in morning and evening, on how to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease Covid-19, in Kampala, Uganda, on March 24, 2020. (Photo by Badru Katumba/AFP) COMMENT The Covid-19 pandemic is driving Sub-Saharan Africa into its first recession in 25 years, putting economic progress at risk. Recovery will depend on how effective governments and private sector partners are at addressing four key priorities. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which came into effect on 1 January, can serve as a framework for the region’s economic recovery. The zone aims to connect 1.3-billion people across 55 countries with a combined gross domestic product (GDP) valued at $3.4-trillion.