Faure Gnassingbé

"No matter how effective the developed world's approach to the COVID-19 pandemic might be in terms of protecting public health, it simply will not work in Africa without social protection. Almost 85% of African workers - be they small farmers, street-food vendors, waste collectors, transport operators, or nomadic merchants - operate in the informal sector. Also, many survive day to day so they will be torn between staying safe and surviving. Restricting their movement means they will not be able to put food on their families' tables. The most effective way we can come to their aid is via cash transfers."