Join us in a conversation on the challenges Sub-Saharan African countries face when balancing government debt accumulation and economic growth.
Debt issuance can help finance much-needed investments in Sub-Saharan countries and sort out key bottlenecks to growth. However, while many of the investments made were essential for economic progress, several governments overestimated the growth impact of such investments and underestimated implementation constraints and future shocks, both leading to borrowing beyond the country’s repayment capacity and eventually driving debt distress. This has threatened their macroeconomic stability and limited their ability to invest in the critical areas necessary for long-term economic growth, such as climate resilience, education, healthcare, and social services.
2:00 – 2:05 pm (Kigali): Opening Remarks
Victoria Kwakwa, Regional Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa, The World Bank
2:05 – 2:20 pm (Kigali): Debt Sustainability and Growth – The Sub-Saharan African challenge
Carmen Reinhart, Minos A. Zombanakis Professor of the International Financial System at Harvard Kennedy School
2:20 – 2:45 pm (Kigali): Open conversation chaired by Victoria Kwakwa
Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning of Rwanda
Carmen Reinhart
2:45 – 2:55 pm (Kigali): Q&A, moderated by Victoria Kwakwa
2:55 pm – 3:00pm (Kigali): Closing Remarks
Abha Prasad, Practice Manager for Macroeconomics, Trade and Investment in the Eastern and Southern Africa Region
DETAILS
- DATE: TBD