Impact of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions on economic growth in the SADC region: a case of Zimbabwe.

Abstract

This qualitative study sought to investigate the effects of the COVID 19 restrictions on the economy of the SADC region. It aimed at examining the effects of the pandemic, outlining the challenges faced in trying to mitigate these effects as well as examining the policies implemented in trying to deal with these effects by the various member states of the SADC Region. The study was informed by the resilience theory which is bolstered through enhanced networks and the formation of professional counsellor networks, as well as accepting life's changes and refusing to accept a crisis as insurmountable. The misfortune in this context is the COVID-19 emergency, and the facilitating processes are the capacity, assets, and altering structures and processes engaged to rectify the deteriorating of their susceptibility conditions. Various scholarly views were reviewed in line with the objectives. The study adopted the case study as a research design. The population o was drawn from the member states’ various ministries, including that of Finance, Industry and Commerce, Small and Medium Enterprises. Some of the respondents were also drawn from the IMF and the Africa Development Bank. 30 respondents were purposively selected from the population. Data was gathered using semi-structured in-depth interviews as well as document analysis. Qualitative document analysis was used as an analysis tool whilst the data was presented thematically. Ethics were outlined, including respondent’s confidentiality, autonomy and anonymity. The respondents highlighted that the pandemic had various effects on the economy of the SADC Region. These include contraction of the economy, increased public debt, failure to service the debt, a drop in the GDP, the decline of the informal sector which immensely contributes to the nations’ GDP. The main challenges faced include culture and religious views, literacy of the citizenry as well as politicization of policies. Member states implemented various policies which helped mitigate the challenges faced. They subsidized most formal sectors, however, leaving behind the informal sector. Some of the member states lifted the restrictions and opened up the economy in some sector including health, agriculture and mining. However, sectors like tourism and hospitality suffered a huge blow since they were the last ones to have the restrictions waivered. The study concluded that the member states were not prepared to deal with a pandemic of such magnitude. This led to the deficit of the economy in the countries. The study also recommends that the member states have a cushioning allowance to enable them to survive such pandemics. They should also cushion the informal sector since it contributes to the GDP. Further research is needed on the effects of the pandemic on each and every member state since the findings were not homogenous. There is also need to research on the effects of other health related challenges like Ebola on the economy of affected countries.