Moreover, many local authorities lack the ability to enforce these generalised mask-wearing orders.
Some local social welfare organisations in Gambia are planning to distribute free masks to urban dwellers on a large-scale, targeting workers in the informal sector. This is still too expensive for most consumers in West Africa and masks are not always available.
Subsidised masks sold in pharmacies cost, on average, about 200 CFA francs per mask (0.3 EUR). In Cabo Verde, several initiatives have been launched with the goal of distributing free masks to vulnerable people. As part of the “One Malian, one mask” programme, Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita announced an order of 20 million locally produced, washable masks. The megacity has quickly become a fashion hub for masks made from African fabric. Similarly, Nigeria made face mask use compulsory in Lagos State.
Côte d’Ivoire is enforcing mask wearing, in particular in shopping malls and supermarkets in the Abidjan area. Benin was the first African country to introduce a “cordon sanitaire” policy on 8 April, which mandated face mask use in public in twelve areas, including the cities of Cotonou and Porto-Novo. As of early April, many West African countries made it mandatory for people to wear non-medical cloth masks whenever they went outside. In March 2020, the visual landscape in West Africa changed as people started wearing face masks in public places, especially those living in urban areas.