Daud Olatunji
In a high-profile gathering in Paris, former Nigerian Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun and Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz shared valuable insights and recommendations on tackling sovereign debt crises.
Organized by the prestigious panel, the event shed light on the complexities of sovereign debt restructuring and its impact on nations, particularly emphasizing the urgent need for international mechanisms to address the issue.
Kemi Adeosun, who served as Nigeria’s Finance Minister from November 2015 to September 2018, spoke passionately about the protracted nature of debt restructuring in countries like Zambia, attributing the delay to inaction before defaults occur.
She highlighted the reluctance of countries in debt distress to acknowledge their situation, driven by the necessity to cut social spending, particularly in democratic nations.
Adeosun astutely pointed out that this reluctance often leads to a dangerous practice of “kicking the can down the road.”
Adeosun proposed a solution by emphasizing the importance of Eurobond holders initiating conversations with sovereign nations well before a potential default.
By doing so, they could potentially help nations continue servicing their debts, thus gaining a head start on the restructuring process when it becomes necessary.
Joseph Stiglitz, renowned for his contributions to economics, voiced concerns about the lack of international mechanisms for sovereign debt restructuring, which he believed hindered Africa’s progress toward sustainable public finances and participation in the clean energy transition.
Stiglitz elaborated on the challenges posed by the coordination of diverse creditors, including China and Western hedge funds, who often exhibit a lack of trust in each other.
He remarked, “We have no framework for debt restructuring across sovereigns, and the result is too little debt restructuring, too late.”
The discussion also addressed the ongoing debt restructuring process in Zambia, which began following the country’s default in November 2020.
The protracted nature of this case served as a stark reminder of the urgency of establishing effective international mechanisms for addressing sovereign debt crises.
Adeosun and Stiglitz’s invaluable insights and recommendations in Paris have reignited the global conversation on the pressing need for international cooperation in resolving sovereign debt crises and ensuring the financial stability of nations around the world.
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