World Bank Approves $474 Million Loan To South Africa

The World Bank has approved a loan of 454.4 million euros ($474.4 million) to help South Africa fund COVID-19 vaccine purchases.

South Africa has recorded the most coronavirus cases and deaths on the African continent, with over 3.9 million confirmed cases and more than 101,000 deaths.

Acting director-general of the Treasury Ismail Momoniat said the loan is part of government efforts to cut debt-service costs by using cheaper funding sources in its response to the pandemic.

It initially struggled to secure vaccines due to limited supplies and protracted negotiations, but it is now well-supplied with doses.

The government of South Africa in a statement said “This project will retroactively finance the procurement of 47 million COVID-19 vaccine doses.”

As of Monday, just over 50% of South Africa’s adult population of around 40 million people had received at least one vaccine dose. In recent months the vaccination campaign has slowed, despite efforts to boost takeup.

REUTERS/Christopher Ojilere