How is Africa to juggle debt and climate burdens?

One glaring issue is Africa's debt repayments may hit $62 billion in 2023, exceeding an estimated $50 billion needed yearly for climate resilience investments. [iStockphoto]

The New York Times recently published a letter jointly authored by Kenyan and Zambian presidents, the AU Commission Chair, the AfDB Group president, and the Global Centre on Adaptation Chief Executive, asking for a breather on Africa's foreign debts.

In the letter published a day just before the IMF and World Bank gathering of finance ministers and central bank governors in Morocco, the first in Africa in 50 years, the authors argued that many African countries were likely to default on international debts and suffer more when that happens, hampering investment in essential sectors like health, education, renewable energy, and climate action.