UN warns Ebola outbreak could cost Africa $3.6 billion

The United Nations announced that the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) could cost the African continent as much as $3.6 billion and eliminate up to 328,000 jobs if it spreads widely. The UN Development Programme (UNDP) outlined three scenarios: a best‑case where the virus remains confined to the DRC and Uganda costing about $1 billion, and a worst‑case where it expands to Rwanda, Angola and South Sudan, coinciding with higher fuel prices linked to the crisis in Iran, leading to the $3.6 billion loss.

Since the outbreak was declared on 15 May, 1,307 people have been infected and 377 have died in the DRC, with a smaller number of cases reported in Uganda. UNDP permanent representative Demien Mama said, “If we have the resources and increase the pace, we can limit the outbreak and prevent further losses,” warning that without action the health emergency could become a deep, prolonged development crisis across the region.