Rwanda pledges $1 million to African Union fight against Covid-19

Rwanda has pledged One million US Dollars to the African Union COVID-19 Fund and to the Africa Centre for Disease Control (CDC).

The announcement was made today by President Paul Kagame during the Teleconference Meeting of the Extended AU Bureau. The head of state said that the African Union COVID-19 Fund and the CDC will be getting $500,000 each.

The Teleconference Meeting of the Extended AU Bureau was chaired by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is also the serving Chairperson of the African Union, and attended by Heads of State and Government of DRC, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Senegal, Zimbabwe, AUC Chair and members of the African Business Leaders Coalition

“Before I continue with my short remarks, let me say that Rwanda announces a pledge to the African Union COVID-19 Fund and to the Africa CDC, each getting $500,000,” President Kagame said in his remarks.

The goal, President Kagame said, is to ensure that Africa has the fiscal space needed to cushion the regional private sector from this crisis, and protect the human development gains of the citizens.

“I note with satisfaction, Mr President (Ramaphosa), that our coordinated engagement with the G20, and among ourselves, and also with the international financial institutions, has been productive. We should continue to coordinate even more closely in the months ahead.

President Kagame urged leaders not to lose sight of the critical importance of the start of trading under the Continental Free Trade Area in July.

“This has always been a major priority for our Union, but the current disruptions to international trade make it even more important at this particular moment to increase trade and production in our continent,” Kagame added.

President Kagame also thanked the Africa CDC and the African Union Commission: “ for the excellent work they are doing on behalf of our continent. Member states are directly benefitting from this agency's expertise.”

The head of state also commended his South African counterpart for coordinating championing Africa’s coordinated efforts with partner institutions in confronting this pandemic.