An Ebola outbreak could cost African economies up to US3.6 billion and lead to the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs if not contained, the United Nations warned on Tuesday.
The UN said the health emergency risked developing into a broader economic and social crisis across the continent, with impacts extending beyond affected communities.
“If we have the resources and we step up, we can contain this outbreak and prevent further losses,” Damien Mama, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in the Democratic Republic of Congo, said.
“If we do not, this health emergency risks becoming a much deeper and prolonged development crisis across the region and potentially the continent,” he added.
The warning comes as authorities and international partners continue efforts to strengthen outbreak response measures, including surveillance, treatment and public health interventions.
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The UN said the economic impact of Ebola could be significant, affecting trade, investment, livelihoods and employment, particularly in regions where communities are already vulnerable.
Past Ebola outbreaks have shown that the effects of the disease often extend beyond direct health consequences, disrupting business activity, reducing household incomes and placing additional pressure on government resources.
Health emergencies can also affect key sectors such as agriculture, transport and services as movement restrictions, fear and reduced economic activity limit normal operations.
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The Democratic Republic of Congo has experienced multiple Ebola outbreaks in recent years, with health authorities and international organisations repeatedly working to contain the spread of the virus.
The UNDP said early action and adequate resources would be critical to preventing wider economic damage and protecting development gains across Africa.
Governments and international agencies have been urged to strengthen preparedness systems, improve coordination and ensure communities have access to medical care and reliable information.
The warning comes as African countries continue to face a range of public health challenges, with concerns that outbreaks can undermine efforts to reduce poverty, expand employment and achieve sustainable economic growth.
The UN said preventing the spread of Ebola would require a coordinated response involving governments, communities and development partners.
Without effective containment, the organisation warned that the consequences could extend beyond the immediate health crisis, threatening economic progress and increasing pressure on already strained public systems.
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The call for urgent action highlights the need for investment in health infrastructure and emergency preparedness to reduce the impact of future outbreaks on Africa’s economies and populations.
