Christelle MarotGovernments are leading the Covid-19 response, but the continent’s richest citizens are contributing their part to the team effort, sometimes even getting ahead of public sector initiatives. In Nigeria, cement magnate Aliko Dangote, the continent’s richest man with an estimated fortune of US$10 billion, has been on the frontlines from the outset and is coordinating a response effort. The country’s second-richest family, the Ruperts, have pledged to donate R1bn to help small businesses and their workers. Patrice Motsepe, South Africa’s third-wealthiest person and the chairman of African Rainbow Minerals, raised R1bn through his private foundation, working together with faith-based organisations, trade unions, NGOs, traditional leaders and local government authorities. The billionaire provided 100 000 test kits for Zimbabwe’s most vulnerable groups and 45 ventilators for the country’s public hospitals.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 09, 2021 23:03 UTC