International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said on Monday that COVID-19 infections in Africa will likely exceed previous peaks within days.

The prediction underscores an urgent need to accelerate vaccine supplies and financing to the region.

Georgieva said in a blog posting with IMF Africa Department director Abebe Selassie that sub-Saharan Africa, already with the lowest vaccination rates in the world at less than 1% of the population, risks having its health care systems overwhelmed without immediate action.

Usman Umar reports.