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Public Debt Accumulation in SSA: A Looming Debt Crisis
[‘Government Ponzi Games and the Sustainability of Public Deficits Under Uncertainty’]

Author

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  • Michael Atingi-Ego
  • Sayed Timuno
  • Tiviniton Makuve

Abstract

This paper discusses recent debt trends and evaluates performance of debt sustainability analysis (DSA) conducted in a sample of Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries over the period 2008–16. Based on qualitative and quantitative analyses, the findings suggest the existence of systematic optimism bias in past DSA vintages resulting from optimistic macro-economic projections that underpin the DSAs. As a result, the DSAs for the sample countries analysed projected higher debt carrying capacities, which in most cases led to a faster pace of debt accumulation during this period. Moreover, this was not helped by the fact that average interest rates on new debt commitments were rising faster relative to gross domestic product growth rates, while the necessary fiscal adjustment to counter this development remained insufficient. Countercyclical policies supported by fiscal buffers that were used to address the impact of the 2008 global financial crisis have largely not been reversed despite the erosion of the buffers and a pick-up in growth in some countries. As a result, the overall risk of debt distress in the region has deteriorated in the past decade. Going forward, strengthening analytical/research work on country macroeconomic projections underlying their DSAs, relationship between investment and growth, impact of natural disasters on DSA frameworks and quantifying and monitoring fiscal risks would be important pieces of work in leveraging DSA results for financing and policy decisions. Other supporting issues to embrace include capacity building to enhance quality of policies, transparency and accountability at institutional level; managing roll over risk; developing and implementing sound debt management strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Atingi-Ego & Sayed Timuno & Tiviniton Makuve, 2021. "Public Debt Accumulation in SSA: A Looming Debt Crisis [‘Government Ponzi Games and the Sustainability of Public Deficits Under Uncertainty’]," Journal of African Economies, Centre for the Study of African Economies, vol. 30(Supplemen), pages 103-139.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:jafrec:v:30:y:2021:i:supplement_1:p:i103-i139.
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mr. Henry Mooney & Constance de Soyres, 2017. "Debt Sustainability Analyses for Low-Income Countries: An Assessment of Projection Performance," IMF Working Papers 2017/220, International Monetary Fund.
    2. Alberto Musso & Steven Phillips, 2002. "Comparing Projections and Outcomes of IMF-Supported Programs," IMF Staff Papers, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 49(1), pages 1-3.
    3. Paul Beaudry & Tim Willems, 2022. "On the Macroeconomic Consequences of Over-Optimism," American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics, American Economic Association, vol. 14(1), pages 38-59, January.
    4. André Binette & Dmitri Tchebotarev, 2017. "Evaluating Real GDP Growth Forecasts in the Bank of Canada Monetary Policy Report," Staff Analytical Notes 17-21, Bank of Canada.
    5. Mr. Benedicte Baduel & Mr. Robert T Price, 2012. "Evolution of Debt Sustainability Analysis in Low-Income Countries: Some Aggregate Evidence," IMF Working Papers 2012/167, International Monetary Fund.
    6. Henning Bohn, 2005. "The Sustainability of Fiscal Policy in the United States," CESifo Working Paper Series 1446, CESifo.
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    Cited by:

    1. Okere, Kingsley Ikechukwu & Dimnwobi, Stephen Kelechi & Ekesiobi, Chukwunonso & Onuoha, Favour Chidinma, 2023. "Turning the tide on energy poverty in sub-Saharan Africa: Does public debt matter?," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Debt Sustainability Analysis; Debt Crisis; Sub Saharan Africa; optimism bias; JEL classification: E62; H63; H68; H81;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E62 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Fiscal Policy; Modern Monetary Theory
    • H63 - Public Economics - - National Budget, Deficit, and Debt - - - Debt; Debt Management; Sovereign Debt
    • H68 - Public Economics - - National Budget, Deficit, and Debt - - - Forecasts of Budgets, Deficits, and Debt
    • H81 - Public Economics - - Miscellaneous Issues - - - Governmental Loans; Loan Guarantees; Credits; Grants; Bailouts

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