​​​​​​Debt sustainability and Debt restructuring in Sub-Saharan Africa

Registration is Open

A webinar organised by the Berne Union Sub-Saharan Africa Working Group
will take place on 21 April 2022 14:00-16:00 GMT London time


The third webinar in the series that is dedicated to increasing interest in the continent, including communicating challenges and opportunities as well as risk mitigators when doing business in the Sub-Saharan Africa region.

This time, during the webinar contributors from IMF, Allianz Trade, ATI, MIGA, Paris Club Secretariat and the law firm Cleary Gottlieb will discuss and share their experience on the matters related to debt sustainability and restructuring.

Webinar will be moderated by Rick Angiuoni, Director for Africa, US EXIM


Debt Sustainability

The primary focus of the first part of the session will be on G20 Common Framework, challenges faced by the Common Framework and debt treatment. Contributors will discuss what ramifications will follow, for example, rating downgrades, limited access to capital markets, and how it will impact further investment strategies. In addition, with a practical example, ATI will showcase how blended finance solutions can be used to help Sub-Saharan African countries raise commercial lending on attractive terms, thus achieving their debt sustainability objectives.

Participants of the session:

  • Martin Cerisola, Assistant Director, International Monetary Fund
  • Paddy Harman, Sovereign Practice Lead and Senior Underwriter, Allianz Trade
  • Annabelle Buzingo, Underwriter, ATI

Debt Restructuring

During the second part of the webinar, Paris Club Secretariat will give an insight into the key developments and challenges faced by the Paris Club due to the much more diverse group of creditors to Sub-Saharan Africa. Sui-Jim Ho from Cleary Gottlieb, will give an insight on the primary causes of public debt instability, on which terms to modify for a sovereign debtor wishing to adjust the terms of its debt in order to achieve a more sustainable debt portfolio and what tools does a sovereign has at its disposal with which to bring creditors to the table to discuss.

Participants of the session:

  • Jean-Baptiste Brasseur, Deputy Head of International Debt, Paris Club Secretariat
  • Sui-Jim Ho, PartnerCleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton