The Covid-19 virus is wreaking havoc across the globe. The number of infected stands at over 11 million and about 500,000 dead. A second wave of infections is threatening to wipe out some of the early victories, and nations are gingerly emerging out of lock-down only because of economic imperatives. In the US, about 12,000 companies have declared bankruptcy. In the UK, payroll shrunk by about 700,000 jobs as workers are unable to find work. Investors have taken a terrible beating. Yet, these are only the immediate effects of the Coronavirus. There will be far-reaching consequences.
Though we want our normal lives back, what is normal is forever changed. In the first instance, some jobs will never return, as more businesses take client interactions entirely online. This singular act effectively wipes out billions of dollars in investment while giving occasion for spending in newer areas. By inference, certain invaluable skills required for some of those jobs also become obsolete. Certain abilities and experiences which ought to be passed to the next generation have lost their value overnight.
There are human costs of lost livelihoods because of this pandemic. In many developing nations, there are no systematic measures to ensure that laid-off workers weather this storm gracefully. Schools have been closed since March, and for many teachers of private schools, this has meant up to 90% reduction in income. The horrors of this are better imagined. I reckon that future career choices have been further trimmed down, automatically. No one who has lost their source of income due to this pandemic would ever want their children or loved ones to tow the same career path! This is one cogent way in which the future has changed course.
As businesses are closing down, investors are also revising their risk assessment processes, and cutting out certain industries/regions from future investment considerations. Contracts have been cancelled and new ones renegotiated on less generous terms. Even if a vaccine were to be found today, countries whose economies rely on Foreign Direct Investment will yet count their losses for many quarters to come.
Thankfully, all is not doom and gloom. As we all adjust to the new course of human life, a light remains, and that is the light of human creativity. Historically, humans have always bounced back from adversity not necessarily because the external factors got better.
Our resilience as a species is borne out of our unique, individual characteristics and our ability to collaborate and engage in fair exchange. Out of human creativity, new solutions will be born. Innovation and creation will always be the way out. New skills will be developed and honed, to replace those made redundant by the pandemic. And that’s how we evolve as a species.
In the firm belief of this fact, ANQR presents the superhighway for exchanging Africa’s creativity with the world. As the new post-covid-19 global economy takes form, we are here as active participants, fairly exchanging value and ensuring that our people get rewarded in this niche in which we fit so snugly: Fashion.
Change is the only constant in life. Those who do not adapt to change get washed away in the sands of time. ANQR makes it easy for millions of African fashion designers and retailers to seamlessly move their business online.
On the other hand, we also assure our customers that they can stay home and stay safe while getting their fashion needs met. Africans in diaspora who are unable to travel can still maintain this connection to their roots. We assure our customers of a secure and seamless payment experience on ANQR. We are compliant with data privacy policies applicable in different regions of the world. ANQR does not retain your personal data except those required for giving you an awesome shopping experience — all with your permission, of course.
Are you a fashion designer or retailer of locally produced wears? You can set up your ANQR store and instantly add a global dimension to your business. We have made this so easy that it takes only 2 minutes. To begin, click on SELL ON ANQR in the menu bar.
Our help desk is available 24/7 to answer your inquiries. Email us at vendor@anqr.com.ng or WhatsApp +234 701 5098 048.
Welcome to the future.
