Opening Remarks at Mobilizing with Africa II High-Level Virtual Event

By Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva

October 9, 2020

As prepared for delivery

Excellencies, Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen—thank you for participating in this important event. I am honored to co-host with President Malpass. And I would like to recognize U.N. Secretary General Guterres and AU Commission Chair Moussa Faki Mahamat.

We are here today because COVID-19 continues its assault on the health and wellbeing of people, and on the economy. 

In Africa, there are more than a million cases. 23,000 deaths confirmed; countless others unconfirmed. Jobs lost, family incomes down 12 percent. And, according to our colleagues at the World Bank, up to 43 million more people are at risk of extreme poverty, reversing a trend we have