Africa’s debt crisis deepens as donors swap grants for loans

Summary:

• Africa’s debt crisis worsens as donors shift from grants to loans, with the debt-to-GDP ratio doubling since 2010. Interest payments divert funds from crucial sectors like healthcare and education, affecting over half of Africa’s population.

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Over the past decade, Africa has witnessed a staggering increase in its debt burden, soaring from an average debt-to-GDP ratio of 30 percent in 2010 to over 60 percent today. This troubling trend stands in stark contrast to most developed nations, which typically maintain a debt-to-GDP ratio below 40 percent. The shift in financial dynamics has been underscored by a notable change in the approach of affluent countries and international organizations towards Africa. Once providers of grants under the banner of Official Development Assistance (ODA), these entities have pivoted towards extending loans, exacerbating the continent’s already precarious debt situation.

A recent report titled ‘A World of Debt,’ released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad), sheds light on this concerning development. It reveals a significant uptick in the proportion of ODA allocated as loans rather than grants, marking an increase of over six percent since 2012. Consequently, many African nations, accustomed to relying on aid, find themselves ensnared in a debt crisis, wherein substantial portions of their budgets are diverted towards servicing interest payments, at the expense of critical sectors like healthcare and education.

“The decline in overall aid, the increasing use of loans, and the sharp reduction in debt relief resources add further pressure on developing countries burdened by debt,” emphasizes the UN agency in its latest report.

Currently, an estimated 34 percent of ODA to Africa comprises concessional loans, a stark departure from the historical norm of grants. This figure stood at 28 percent in 2012, indicating a growing inclination among donors towards lending rather than outright assistance. Coupled with the escalating interest rates on sovereign loans in the developing world, this trend has fueled a spiraling debt crisis across the continent.

According to Unctad’s findings, global debt has ballooned over the past decade, surging from $50 trillion in 2010 to over $97 trillion by 2023. Alarmingly, this growth rate was twice as fast in developing countries. In Africa, the debt-to-GDP ratio has more than doubled since 2010, outpacing that of developed nations by a significant margin.

Moreover, the cost of servicing debt has skyrocketed, disproportionately affecting developing nations. Africa, in particular, is bearing the brunt, with interest payments on sovereign bonds reaching nearly ten times the levels seen in developed countries like Germany. This burgeoning debt burden has severe implications, hindering the ability of developing countries to finance critical investments.

The repercussions of this debt crisis are felt acutely by citizens, as governments are forced to redirect funds away from essential services like health and education to meet debt obligations. Last year alone, a staggering 54 countries worldwide allocated at least 10 percent of their government revenues solely to servicing interest payments, with half of these countries situated in Africa.

Data from Unctad underscores the dire situation, revealing a stark contrast in spending priorities. While African countries allocate an average of $39 per capita to healthcare and $60 to education, they spend approximately $70 per capita on interest payments. In contrast, Latin American nations allocate significantly more to healthcare and education, with interest payments constituting a smaller proportion of government expenditure.

Consequently, over half of Africa’s population—768 million individuals—reside in countries where interest payments surpass allocations for healthcare, underscoring the profound impact of the continent’s burgeoning debt crisis on its most vulnerable citizens.