**Background:** Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) kill 41 million people annually, accounting for 71% of global deaths, with 80% occurring in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Africa, where 80% of 54 countries are classified as LMICs, faces a rising NCD burden: between 1990 and 2015, NCD-related deaths in Sub-Saharan Africa increased from 1.7 million (25%) to 2.7 million (34%). Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause, causing nearly 1 million deaths in 2013 (38.3% of NCD deaths). The COVID-19 pandemic, declared by WHO on March 11, 2020, has affected over 207,000 people across 166 countries by March 19, 2020, with global deaths surpassing 8,500. This narrative review aims to assess the extent of COVID-19's impact on NCD targets in Africa.
**Methods:** A narrative review was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar with keywords including Covid-19, coronavirus disease, non-communicable diseases, past pandemics, non-communicable disease target, COVID-19 prevention strategies, and non-communicable diseases burden in Africa.
**Key Results:** The review identifies several direct and indirect impacts of COVID-19 on NCDs in Africa. Disruption of regular screening and monitoring for conditions like hypertension and diabetes due to movement restrictions has been observed. Access to essential medicines is threatened because Africa relies on pharmaceutical raw materials from China and India, and COVID-19 has disrupted production and supply logistics. Psychological consequences, including depression, have been linked to poorer outcomes in diabetes, hypertension, and cancer management. Social and public health measures have led to unhealthy habits such as increased tobacco use, consumption of ultra-processed foods, and reduced physical activity. Globally, about 75% of countries reported disruption of treatment and diagnostic services for NCDs. The review notes that hypertension, diabetes, and chronic respiratory problems were the most common comorbidities in COVID-19 patients admitted to critical care units. Past pandemics (e.g., SARS, H1N1) have shown substantial psychological distress and post-traumatic stress among healthcare workers and the general population. The WHO NCD Global Action Plan 2013–2020 includes 10 indicators and 18 targets; by 2015, 14 countries globally had not achieved any indicator, 12 of which were in Africa, and 20 countries had achieved only one indicator, 15 in Africa.
**Clinical Implications:** The COVID-19 pandemic has severely disrupted NCD prevention and control efforts in Africa, threatening progress toward the Sustainable Development Goal 3.4 target of reducing premature NCD mortality by one-third by 2030. The review recommends providing adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) for health professionals, employing more health workers, expanding health systems with donor support, using telemedicine for follow-up, and implementing medication delivery services (e.g., drones). Community COVID-19 response teams should support persons living with NCDs and reduce stigmatization. Achieving NCD targets requires population-based interventions from governments and private institutions to encourage healthier lifestyles. The review concludes that without immediate strategies, African countries may not achieve the NCD targets.