COVID-19 adds extra strain on Africa’s supply chain

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Few German companies are ensuring basic labor and human rights standards are respected in the supply chain. That's why two German ministers are now planning a law obliging companies to take responsibility.

Poor infrastructure, logistical hurdles and high prices are some of the challenges that have long affected Africa's food supply. With border closures and night curfews, the pandemic has exacerbated these problems.

Brexit, Christmas and the coronavirus pandemic have led to congestion problems at some of the UK's biggest ports. In turn, a lack of parts have arrived at a factory in southern England, leading to a temporary closure.

Officials are scrambling to help clear supply chain backlogs, with two of the US's largest ports operating 24 hours per day as traffic jams of container ships wait offshore. Also, the IMF unveils a new mechanism for rich countries to lend or donate to poor nations, and Hollywood braces for the biggest crew strike since the 1940s.

Meet the Nigerian startups that are digitizing the Nigerian food supply chain, helping merchants navigate high food inflation and avoid crowded markets during the COVID-19 pandemic. Vendease and Sabi have created digital marketplaces that allow wholesalers, shopkeepers and restauranteurs to purchase directly from farmers and manufacturers at more affordable rates.

Consumer demand is driving continued recovery, but Europe's largest economy grew by a less-than-expected 1.8% in the third quarter. Supply chain hold-ups prevented some manufacturers from producing at full capacity.

As myriad supply chain and logistics problems pose fresh challenges to the global recovery, the IMF has trimmed its 2021 growth outlook. Evan Quasney, Global Vice President Supply Chain Solutions, told DW the problem cannot be fixed quickly.

For more than two years the only way for container shipping prices was up. That trend is now reversing as backlogs at ports dissolve and supply chain snarls ease. But nothing's ever going to be back to normal.