- RWANDA - Compared to most Western countries, Rwanda experienced a relatively low rate of confirmed COVID cases and deaths. Rwanda compliance to recommended COVID quarantines rated very high . The Australian Lowy Institute rated it first among African counties and sixth in the world in gauging response to the pandemic.
- 2020 to 2022 - The quarantine closed the university, many businesses, and the churches for most of 2020 and 2021. It severely limited our Rwandan ministers capability to minister and to maintain its hotel and other businesses. Due to church closures, pastors of all the churches suffered a major loss of income and their ability to support themselves and serve their congregations. In 2022 most of the quarantine restrictions were lifted. The university, churches and businesses are returning to pre-pandemic schedules.
- ECONOMIC IMPACT – The quarantine has had a devastating economic impact on all Africa. Over the past decade, Rwanda had one of the strongest economies in Africa. According to https://tradingeconomics.com/rwanda/gdp-growth-annual , the Rwandan economy had been growing at an average rate of about 10% in 2018 and 2019. But in 2020 the Rwandan economy contracted about 10%. 2021 saw a rapid recovery in the second half of the year to about pre-pandemic levels. 2022 saw a lower growth rate to about 6-7% due to worldwide inflation and energy prices.
- LONG-TERM IMPACT - The effect of the Western shutdowns on the poorer countries are projected to continue into 2022 and beyond. For the first time in several decades, famine throughout Africa are becoming wide-spread and severe. Rwanda has be spared so far. However, food prices have doubled between 2021 and 2022. For an idea of how this impact may play our, you can link to https://imprimis.hillsdale.edu/sensible-compassionate-anti-covid-strategy/
