On this edition of Africa 54, the World Bank approves nearly $2 billion dollars in funding for 25 of the world’s poorest countries to battle the coronavirus pandemic; United Nations Food Agency says it has negotiated a humanitarian corridor to keep food aid flowing into southern Africa; Sierra Leone to start a three-day lockdown after confirming two unrelated cases of COVID-19; Nigeria battles a deadly Lassa Fever outbreak that so far has killed at least 185 people.

A54 Entertainment: Music Time in Africa host Heather Maxwell shares the life and music of Malian artist Alpha Ousmane, best known as Hama Sankaré. Hama Sankaré passed away when a vehicle he was riding in was struck by an improvised explosive device. The artist was returning to the capital Bamako from his home, Niafunke, where he had gone to vote.