Jack Ma’s second consignment of medical equipment for the African continent is on its way, China’s richest man has announced.

Our second donation to 54 countries in Africa is on the way. That includes 500 ventilators, 200K suits & face shields, 2K thermometers, 1M swabs & extraction kits and 500K gloves. Thank you @AbiyAhmedAli @flyethiopian @AfricaCDC @WFP for your partnership. Stay safe Africa!

The Alibaba boss tweeted: “Our second donation to 54 countries in Africa is on the way”, adding: “That includes 500 ventilators, 200, 000 suits and face shields, 2,000 thermometers, 1 million swabs and extraction kits and 500, 000 gloves”.

Mr Ma thanked the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed Ali, Ethiopian Airline, Africa CDC and WFP for their partnership.

“Stay safe Africa!” the philanthropist added.

In late March, Ghana took her share of Mr Ma’s first donation consignment of coronavirus test kits, masks and protective suits.

This morning #Gabon, #Ghana, #Congo and the #DRC have received their #COVID19 prevention materials.The 2nd shipment of supplies from @JackMa & @AlibabaGroup containing 540k medical grade masks and 20k protective clothes is on its way to #Ethiopia.Dispatch to Africa will continue.

— Abiy Ahmed Ali ???????? (@AbiyAhmedAli) March 25, 2020

The Alibaba founder shipped the equipment to Africa as part of his efforts to help fight the spread of the virus on the continentw.

Gabon, Ghana, Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo were among the third batch to receive their share of the donation from the first consignment.

Thank you @JackMa & the @AlibabaGroup for sending the first wave of #COVID-19 prevention materials. Support includes 1.1million testing kits,6million masks & 60,000 protective suits to be distributed throughout Africa. Distribution to other countries will begin as of tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/tHsiwoWFjY

— Abiy Ahmed Ali ???????? (@AbiyAhmedAli) March 22, 2020

The first batch went to Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea and Djibouti on 23 March 2020 followed by South Africa, Burundi, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, South Sudan, Togo and Nigeria.

Thank you @JackMa & the @AlibabaGroup for sending the first wave of #COVID-19 prevention materials. Support includes 1.1million testing kits,6million masks & 60,000 protective suits to be distributed throughout Africa. Distribution to other countries will begin as of tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/tHsiwoWFjY

— Abiy Ahmed Ali ???????? (@AbiyAhmedAli) March 22, 2020