What: High-Level Conference on Africa’s Debt
Who: African Union Commission (AUC) Department for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals; African Development Bank Group (AfDB); and the Government of the Republic of Togo
When: 12 – 14 May 2025; 9am – 6pm WAT
Where: Lome, Togo; and online
The African Union, the African Development Bank, and the Government of Togo are jointly convening a High-Level Conference on Africa’s debt under the theme: “Africa’s Public Debt Management Agenda: Restoring and Safeguarding Debt Sustainability.”
The conference will take place in Lomé, Togo, from 12 – 14 May 2025 and aims to develop, present, and adopt the African Union Lomé Declaration on Africa’s Debt. This declaration will outline a set of common debt management principles to be implemented by AU Member States to guide debt management while fostering harmonized engagement with creditors.
The conference will bring together policymakers from AU Member States, experts, development partners, regional organizations, civil society, and academia. Over the three days, sessions will focus on:
- The global financial architecture and its implications for Africa’s debt landscape
- The current state of public debt management in Africa
- Legislative oversight and legal frameworks for debt management
- Debt relief, restructuring, and innovative financing solutions
- Credit ratings and their impact on African economies
- Transparency and accountability in debt management
- The role of international cooperation in strengthening national capacities for effective debt management
The African Union Debt Conference will comprise a Presidential Dialogue, High-Level Panel Discussion and technical panel sessions on the opportunities, challenges, and solutions for public debt in Africa.
Speakers and panelists will include H.E. Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of Togo; Mr. Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary, UNECA; H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission; Hon. Georges Barcola, Minister of Finance, Togo; and Prof. Kevin Chika Urama, Chief Economist and Vice President for Economic Governance and Knowledge Management, African Development Bank Group.
To register for virtual participation, click here
Join the conversation online: #AfDebtManagement #TheAfricaWeWant
Media contact:
Tolu Ogunlesi, Communication and External Relations, African Development Bank; [email protected]
