Investments in free universal childcare could generate 17 million jobs in Nigeria, especially for women, reducing the gender gap in employment by up to seven percentage points.
The report emphasised the need to invest in universal childcare in Africa, which would significantly benefit the continent. The report also affirmed that Africa is suffering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has deteriorated economies and impoverished more people. It added, “The crisis has affected all sectors, from transport to retail and service sectors to tourism, with large disruptions in supply chains and production and extensive job losses. According to African Economic Outlook 2021, gross domestic product contracted 2.1 per cent in 2020. The AfDB estimates that, without adequate support, about 39 million more Africans – the majority of them women – could fall into extreme poverty in 2021.