The outbreak of the disease has significant social and economic consequences for the affected areas. The financial sector is under severe strain as banks face liquidity issues due to wealthy individuals withdrawing funds and creditors missing payments.
The disease has both social and economic implications in the areas affected.
The fear of the disease more than the disease itself is causing people to stop trading, mining, farming, saving, travelling and spending on the continent.
Ebola Crisis
Tourism
Most major airlines cancelled flights in and out of
countries affected by the disease
The bans also create a stereotype of the African
continent and make it so people assume they will
contract the virus if they travel to any part of the
continent.
With flight also being impacted, even
more trade is being stopped and prices
of medication and supplies are rising
Fiscal Challenges
The government is in a
tough place because it is losing
money on trade tariffs (because trade
has been reduced) and has to pay more
for medical supplies to address the
outbreak
This will lead to prolonged government
debt and higher taxes for citizens to
balance the budget.
93 million for Liberia (4.7% of GDP)
79 million for Sierra Leone (1.8% of GDP)
120 million for Guinea (1.8% of GDP)
Agriculture
Planting season was interrupted
by the outbreak.
This will increase inflation and the price of
food by as much as 13%
Again, A large portion of GDP
is dependent on agriculture (20-57%)
Financial Sector
Banks will face liquidity issues if large
depositors withdraw funds and creditors
miss payments
This puts the whole financial system in Jeprody because
there is no capital moving throughout the capital and
as seen in the great depression, when banks fail, the entire
economy is next.
Many wealthy people have taken their money
and left these countries
Mining and Investment
Global companies are moving their mining
operations out of the west African Countries
The companies are stopping operations
and sending foreign workers home. There
14% of Liberia's economy
17% of Sierra Leone's economy
Mobility restrictions,
trade and transport
To stop the spread of the virus, transport
and trade between and West African countries