In the media
SOUTHMOD study on the impact of COVID-19 in Africa gains attention in media and different outlets

The Working Paper The mitigating role of tax and benefit rescue packages for poverty and inequality in Africa amid the COVID-19 pandemic, along with a press release, five Policy Briefs and a blog text was launched 4 October 2021.

A first of its kind study provides valuable insight for governments in the developing world to navigate through the COVID-19 crisis. The findings demonstrate the limits of African tax-benefit systems, as they existed at the onset of the crisis, and the weak contribution of additional measures taken in response to the crisis. Detailed story of successes and failures in each analyzed country (Ghana, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia) is revealed.

The results of the study have been introduced in several academic events, but they have also gained media attention. An opinion piece by the main authors on Project Syndicate led to for instance The Global Vaccine Alliance Gavi to republish the piece, and the Chair of Board of Gavi to share the story on social media. Another opinion piece was published by The Conversation Africa. The development magazine of the Finnish Foreign Ministry, Kehitys Utveckling, also made an article on the topic.

In Zambia, the MicroZAMOD team organized a hybrid high-level dissemination event on 14 October to discuss the findings of the study and to hand over the Policy Brief on Zambia to the representative of the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services. The topic was covered on television by the Zambia National Broadcasting Company and Prime TV, and on the radio by Hot FM Radio and Radio Phoenix. The dissemination event also made headlines on the first page of the Times of Zambia newspaper and on the Daily Nation.

In Mozambique the Inclusive growth in Mozambique programme organized an annual conference on 24 November 2021. In the conference the Policy Brief on the Mozambican results of the SOUTHMOD COVID-19 study were introduced by the MOZMOD team.