The Jack Ma Foundation has pledged medical equipment to all African countries to help in the fight against COVID-19, Jack Ma announced on Monday.

"To combat the potential surging demand for medical supplies and equipment in Africa, Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Foundation will donate to each one of the 54 African nations 20,000 testing kits, 100,000 masks, and 1,000 medical use protective suits and face shields," a statement signed by Jack Ma read in part.

The foundation also promised to begin working with medical institutions around Africa to provide online training material for COVID-19 clinical treatment.

As of Monday 16 March, 2020, 30 countries in Africa had confirmed cases of the disease, with the total cases nearing 400.

"In total, 1.1 million testing kits, 6 million masks, and 60,000 medical use protective suits and face shields will be delivered to Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali of Ethiopia has agreed to take the lead in managing the logistics and distribution of these supplies to the other African countries. I want to express a big "Thank You" to the Ethiopian government and Prime Minister Abiy," continues the statement by the Jack Ma Foundation.

Various African countries have since imposed travel restrictions and suspended flights to the COVID-19-hit regions in a bid to contain the spread of the disease.

The Jack Ma Foundation has also made similar donations to countries in other continents in a bid to better prepare them for the fight against COVID-19.