Determinant Factors for the Spread of Covid19 Virus into African Countries: Cross Sectional Data Analysis

Abstract

The novel human coronavirus has been continued to spread across the globe after its initial outbreak in Wuhan, China, in late 2019. The main aim of this study is to investigate factors contributing to the spread of Covid19 into African countries. OLS regression model was adopted to identify the major determinants.  The data was obtained from websites of internationally recognized organizations for the 53 African countries included in the study. The findings of the study revealed that population size, net migration rate, airways passengers and internet penetration rate have significant and positive contribution to the spread of Covid19 regardless of the country’s population density, population below the poverty line, unemployment rate, literacy rate, press freedom index, global peace index, sub-region and gross domestic product. It is better if policy and controlling mechanisms are designed regarding to the country’s degree of population size, net migration rate, internet penetration rate, and number of airways passengers to slowdown the spread of Covid19 virus in African countries.

Keywords: Covid19 spread, Corona Virus, Africa, Social, Economic, Political factors

DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/13-9-06

Publication date:May 31^st 2021