COMMENT | Desmond Lachman | At the first cabinet meeting of his second term, US President Donald Trump declared his intention to impose a sweeping 25% tariff on all imports from the European Union. But before opening a European front in his trade war, Trump might want to consider the continent’s …
Read More »Public Finance Management experts urge governments on corruption, debt management, and tax policy
KAMPALA, UGANDA | Julius Businge | Public Finance Management experts have urged African governments to take deliberate steps to improve tax-to-GDP ratios, manage public debt responsibly, and intensify the fight against corruption through effective Public Finance Management (PFM) reforms. Speaking at the second edition of the Public Finance Management Conference for …
Read More »Afreximbank seeks to claw back US$657mn debt from South Sudan
The case comes at a trying time for South Sudan, one of the world’s most impoverished countries, which is heavily reliant on oil exports for government spending South Sudan | Felix Thompson | The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is suing the Republic of South Sudan for allegedly failing to repay US$657mn in …
Read More »Uganda’s rising debt burden sparks fiscal policy debate
The country’s public debt now stands at Shs 93.6 trillion as of June 2024, with 27.4% of domestic revenue earmarked for interest payments Kampala, Uganda | JULIUS BUSINGE | Uganda’s rising debt burden has come under renewed scrutiny as the government prepares the FY2025/26 national budget, projected at Shs 57.4 trillion—significantly …
Read More »Uganda reduces debt costs as cheap loan sources disappear
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda has managed to reduce the level of spending on loans in terms of the percentage of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through restructuring debt and the growth of the economy. Total interest payments as a share of GDP decreased to 3.5 percent at the …
Read More »AUDIT REPORT: Uganda’s external debt increases to shs54.3 trillion
KAMPALA, UGANDA | THE INDEPENDENT | The latest report by the Auditor General has indicated an increase in Uganda’s external debt by 2.2 percent, from 53.19 trillion to 54.37 trillion Shillings. According to Auditor General, Edward Akol, the increase is primarily driven by the borrowing from multilateral creditors, which has expanded …
Read More »Climate Change and Africa’s debt crisis
A policy brief by 3 top economists warns continent is in the worst crisis in 80 years ANALYSIS | RONALD MUSOKE | Africa has long struggled with a silent debt crisis, one that has exacerbated its vulnerability to climate shocks and constrained its economic potential. It is time to give voice …
Read More »Curbing debt-fueled unrest in emerging markets
Three important weaknesses that have impeded progress and way forward ANALYSIS | VERA SONGEWE & ISHAC DIWAN | The recent protests in Kenya reflect the frustrated aspirations of young people for higher-quality social services and better economic opportunities. It also highlights the difficulty – in Kenya, and across the developing …
Read More »AfDB Report: Uganda’s economic growth to be propelled by oil, gas investments
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda’s economy is quite robust after weathering through several shocks in recent years, say top economists from the Africa Development Bank Group (AFDB). While there has been concern about the increase in domestic and foreign debts, economists suggest that the Ministry of Finance and the …
Read More »Deputy Secretary to the Treasury: Loan repayments are chocking Uganda
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda has joined the international chorus urging for the reform of international financial architecture. The Deputy Secretary to the Treasury, Patrick Ocailap says reforming the international financial architecture is imperative to give developing countries like Uganda a fair chance to turn its immense potential into …
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