Rising Liability, Delayed Relief: #Ethiopia external debt tops $34 billion amid restructuring limbo
According to the Ministry of Finance, Ethiopia’s total public sector debt stood at $52.12 billion as of December 2025, with domestic debt at $17.67 billion (33.9%) and external debt at $34.45 billion (66.1%), reflecting the dominance of external obligations. External debt rose sharply between June 2024 and December 2025, amid exchange rate pressures.
February 2026 marked five years since Ethiopia requested debt restructuring under the #G20 Common Framework, expected to deliver $3.5 billion in relief. Despite bilateral deals with #France and #Italy, Ethiopia’s debt restructuring remains in limbo, with technical #Eurobond default and unresolved private-sector debt continuing to stall progress.
A recent Addis Standard commentary examines the structural factors behind these prolonged negotiations.
https://addisstandard.com/?p=54190
News: #Ethiopia says official creditors decline Eurobond restructuring terms, plans to reengage Ad Hoc Committee
The Ministry of Finance said Ethiopia will not proceed with the implementation of recently agreed #Eurobond restructuring terms after the country’s Official Creditor Committee (#OCC) concluded that the deal does not fully comply with the principle of Comparability of Treatment.
In a statement issued on 30 January, the ministry said the assessment followed consultations with the OCC and the International Monetary Fund (#IMF) after Ethiopia reached an agreement in principle (#AIP) on 2 January 2026 with a group of bondholders on restructuring its US$1 billion 6.625% Notes due 2024.
According to the ministry, Ethiopia and its advisers engaged the OCC and the IMF to determine whether the AIP was consistent with “(i) the Comparability of Treatment principle as applied by the OCC and (ii) the targets and parameters of Ethiopia’s IMF program.”......
Read more: https://addisstandard.com/?p=54853
🚀 Democratic Republic of Congo Launches Maiden Eurobond Amid Eased Tensions
The Democratic Republic of Congo has initiated the sale of its first eurobond, capitalizing on a temporary lull in hostilities between the U.S. and Iran. Bloomberg posted on X, highlighting that this geopolitical development has increased investor interest in riskier assets. The bond issuance marks a significant step for the Democratic Republic of Congo as it seeks to tap into international financial markets. The pause in tensions has created a more favorable environment for emerging markets to attract investment. This move is part of the country's broader strategy to bolster its economic standing and leverage global financial opportunities.
#DemocraticRepublicofCongo#Eurobond#GeopoliticalTensions#USIranRelations#EmergingMarkets#Investment#InternationalFinance#RiskyAssets#EconomicGrowth#FinancialOpportunities