Diffracting the Global: Exploring the Implementation of WHO’s COVID-19 Protocols in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has impacted the world in unprecedented ways. To deal with the virus, countries across the world implemented COVID-19-related protocols that include social distancing, washing hands, wearing masks and restricting movements of people. While the literature on the impact of COVID-19 is emerging, it is still relatively unknown how the virus affected countries in sub-Saharan Africa. This article explores the impact of COVID-19 protocols in sub-Saharan Africa. The article broadly argues that an all-assuming and globalised approach of COVID-19 protocols is antithetical to the sub-Saharan African continent with its vast territories and unique populations. The article highlights that the African continent that houses the world’s poorest populations cannot be adequately served by COVID-19 protocols in similar ways to Western countries. It is further suggested that COVID-19 protocols that reify universalism may need to be adapted and domesticated to fit the African context. The article provides critical insights into the experience of COVID-19 protocols that has several policy implications for future pandemics and disease outbreaks in the African continent.