This report prepared by the IMF highlights the toll of the COVID-19 pandemic on Sub-Saharan Africa and the economic outlook moving forward. The following are the key points:

• The COVID-19 pandemic threatens to exact a heavy human toll, and the economic crisis it has triggered can upend recent development progress.

• Growth in sub-Saharan Africa in 2020 is projected at –1.6 percent, the lowest level on record.

• The policy priority is to ramp up health capacity and spending to save lives and contain the virus outbreak.

• Support from all development partners is essential to address the sizable financing needs, including debt relief for the most vulnerable countries.

• Fiscal, monetary, and financial policies should be used to protect vulnerable groups, mitigate economic losses, and support the recovery. Once the crisis subsides, fiscal positions should return to sustainable paths.