If Covid-19 spreads across Africa, it will be a human catastrophe. Many fear the continent is not ready to deal with the crisis. Its health systems are already under strain and could buckle under more pressure. Lockdowns have badly affected livelihoods, with millions being pushed into poverty.

Zeinab Badawi speaks to Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a special envoy on Covid-19 for the African Union and chair of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisations. As the world races to find a vaccine, how will she ensure lower-income countries don’t get forgotten? Show less