Recent growth accelerations in Africa are characterized by declining shares of the labor force employed in agriculture, increasing labor productivity in agriculture, and declining labor productivity in modern sectors such as manufacturing.
Covid-19 and other contagious diseases pose a threat to productivity by causing periods of mass absence. Paid sick leave can prevent the spread of disease and reduce turnover costs for employers, but workers often fear retribution for taking sick leave.
In response to the Covid-19 crisis, 186 countries implemented direct cash transfers to households, and 181 introduced in-kind programs that lowered the cost of utilities such as electricity, water, transport, and mobile money.
