French Think Tank Urges Support for Companies in Africa Amid COVID-19 Crisis

In a note, the Montaigne Institute observed that Africa and French companies established on the continent have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. Overcoming the crisis, or even managing to take advantage of it, will require a whole arsenal of support measures, the support of the public authorities, but also a redefinition of the economic and cultural ties between France, Europe and their African partners, the institute said.

Before reaching its conclusions, the think tank set up a working group composed of about twenty French companies established on the continent, from SMEs and mid-sized companies (ETIs) to large groups such as the shipping company CMA-CGM or Bolloré, it is specified.

"Most of those we have been in regular dialogue with as part of our working group have already seen the effect of the slowdown on their business," confirms Jean-Michel Huet, a partner at the consulting firm BearingPoint who participated in the discussions.

The authors of the note have taken into account the lessons of the crisis, and have suggested that investment in local industries for the production of masks, gowns and other health protections should also be promoted. Especially since countries like Tunisia, Côte d’Ivoire and above all Morocco have demonstrated their ability to rely on an existing textile industry to reorient their production.

"There is all this debate about our mask and pharmaceutical supply chains, but it often seems to boil down to the China or Europe alternative. Why not spread the production effort by including more of Africa?", asks Jean-Michel Huet. Such relocation would be in the joint interest of our two continents.