Major events in Africa postponed due to coronavirus concerns

With deaths related to coronavirus hitting 129 outside China, and 64 countries having reported over 8,000 confirmed cases, major conferences and sporting activities scheduled for March in Africa have been cancelled or postponed.

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa postponed its high-level ministerial conference slated for March 18-24 in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the UN agency said it has postponed the 2020 Conference of Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, as a precaution against coronavirus.

"Following global health concerns pertaining to coronavirus and the need for added vigilance, upon consultation with partners, the ECA will postpone all public meetings until further notice," the statement said.

The UN agency said that it will reach out to ministers to discuss member states' preparedness.

On Thursday, the CEO Africa Forum organization team announced postponement of the event that was slated to take place on March 9-10 in Côte d'Ivoire's economic capital, Abidjan.

"In light of the circumstances around the coronavirus, the organization team of the Africa CEO Forum took the decision last night to postpone the event to a later date," a statement sent to media organizations read.

"We thank you for your continuous support and we would like to apologize for the inconvenience caused by this difficult decision."

About 1,800 CEOs, financial leaders, heads of government and policymakers were expected to gather for the eighth edition of the event to rethink the role of African capitalism in this age of digital disruption with its attendant economic and political uncertainties.

The Basketball Africa League campaign that was scheduled to kick off in the Senegalese capital, Dakar, on March 13alsohas been postponed due to coronavirus concerns.

"Following the recommendation of the Senegalese government regarding the escalating health concerns related to coronavirus, the Basketball Africa League's inauguration season will be postponed," Amadou Gallo, the president of the league, said.

"I'm disappointed that we are not able to tip off this historic league as scheduled, but look forward to the highly-anticipated launch at a later date," he said.

The league, a partnership between the International Basketball Federation and the National Basketball Association, is a new professional league featuring 12 club teams from across Africa.