African Union Dialogue on Debt Sustainability and Reform

African Union Dialogue on Debt Sustainability and Reform

Theme: "From Crisis Response to Sustainable Financing: Implementing the Common African Position on Debt"

Date: 1-3 July 2026

Venue: Harare, Zimbabwe

Introduction

The African Union Commission (AUC), through the Department for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals, will convene the African Union Dialogue on Debt Sustainability and Reform from 1-3 July 2026 in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Held under the theme "From Crisis Response to Sustainable Financing: Implementing the Common African Position on Debt", the Dialogue will bring together representatives of Ministries of Finance, Central Banks, AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities, African financial institutions, development partners, creditors, civil society organisations, think tanks, and research institutions to discuss practical pathways for implementing the Common African Position (CAP) on Debt.

The Dialogue follows the adoption of the Common African Position on Debt by African Union Heads of State and Government in February 2026 and seeks to strengthen Africa's collective approach to debt sustainability, debt restructuring, and sustainable financing.

About the Event

Africa's public debt landscape has deteriorated significantly over the past decade, driven by rising development financing needs, repeated external shocks, tightening global financial conditions, and persistently high borrowing costs. More than twenty African countries are currently either in debt distress or at high risk of debt distress, while increasing debt-service obligations continue to constrain fiscal space for critical investments in health, education, infrastructure, climate resilience, and economic transformation.

The adoption of the Common African Position (CAP) on Debt marked a major milestone in Africa's efforts to strengthen coordination, enhance debt sustainability, and amplify the continent's voice in global debt discussions. Building on the Lomé Declaration adopted during the African Union Conference on Debt in May 2025, the CAP provides a unified continental framework for engagement on debt restructuring, sustainable financing, and reform of the global financial architecture.

The African Union Dialogue on Debt Sustainability and Reform will serve as a continental platform to develop practical implementation modalities for the CAP while advancing priority interventions aimed at easing immediate debt pressures, improving liquidity, accelerating debt resolution processes, and strengthening Africa's collective bargaining position in global financial reform discussions.

Objectives

General Objective

The Dialogue aims to develop practical implementation modalities for the Common African Position (CAP) on Debt by clarifying institutional arrangements, sequencing actions, and responsibilities at continental, regional, and national levels while advancing mechanisms for implementing priority short-term interventions with immediate impact.

Specific Objectives

• Establish consensus on the CAP Implementation Modalities Framework, including institutional arrangements, coordination mechanisms, sequencing of actions, and responsibilities across AU organs, Member States, and Regional Economic Communities.
• Identify and assess financing and liquidity opportunities offered by development partners and financial institutions to help ease immediate debt pressures.
• Develop technical inputs for key continental debt negotiation instruments, including a Unified African Term Sheet and AU Guidelines on Ex-Ante Debt Reprofiling.
• Contribute to the formulation of a unified African advocacy position on the reform of the G20 Common Framework.
• Strengthen Africa's collective voice and coherence in global debt discussions through agreed messages, follow-up actions, and accountability mechanisms.

Discussion Themes

The Dialogue will be organised around plenary sessions and thematic breakout sessions focusing on:

• CAP implementation modalities and coordination mechanisms.
• Debt restructuring processes and ex-ante debt reprofiling guidelines.
• Development of a Unified African Term Sheet for debt negotiations.
• Liquidity and concessional financing access.
• Reform of the G20 Common Framework.
• Strengthening Africa's engagement and influence in global debt governance and financial architecture reform.

Expected Outcomes

The Dialogue is expected to deliver the following outcomes:

• Adoption of an agreed CAP Implementation Modalities Framework outlining institutional arrangements, coordination mechanisms, sequencing of actions, and clearly defined responsibilities across AU organs, Member States, and Regional Economic Communities.
• A consolidated mapping of available financing and liquidity opportunities, including actionable options for mobilising and aligning resources from development partners and financial institutions.
• Progress towards the development of key continental debt negotiation instruments, including technical inputs for a Unified African Term Sheet and AU Guidelines on Ex-Ante Debt Reprofiling.
• A draft unified African advocacy position on reform of the G20 Common Framework, with clearly articulated priorities and reform proposals.
• Strengthened coordination and coherence in Africa's engagement in global debt discussions through agreed messages, follow-up actions, and accountability mechanisms.
• Reinforced Africa's collective bargaining position in debt negotiations and global financial governance processes.

Registration

Participants are encouraged to register in advance through the official registration platform.

Register here:

[Registration Link to be inserted]

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Previous Milestones

• African Union Conference on Debt

Date: May 2025

Venue: Lomé, Togo

Outcome: Lomé Declaration on Debt

The Conference brought together African policymakers, financial institutions, development partners, and debt experts to discuss Africa's growing debt challenges and the need for coordinated continental responses. The meeting culminated in the adoption of the Lomé Declaration, which called for a stronger African voice in global debt governance, improved debt restructuring mechanisms, and enhanced access to sustainable financing.

• 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union

Date: 15 February 2026

Venue: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Outcome: Adoption of the Common African Position (CAP) on Debt

African Union Heads of State and Government adopted the Common African Position on Debt, establishing a unified continental framework for engagement on debt sustainability, debt restructuring, and reform of the international financial architecture. The CAP provides the political mandate for collective African action and serves as the foundation for the implementation discussions to be undertaken during the Dialogue.

Participants

The Dialogue is expected to bring together:

• Representatives of Ministries of Finance
• Representatives of Central Banks
• Senior policymakers and technical officials from AU Member States
• African financial institutions and continental policy bodies
• Representatives of Regional Economic Communities (RECs)
• Selected international partners and development finance institutions
• Creditor representatives, as appropriate
• Civil society organisations
• Think tanks and research institutions

Contact:

• Dr. Patrick NDZANA OLOMO, Economic Policy and Sustainable Development
  African Union Commission

E-mail: [email protected]

• Mr. Paul SIKAZWE, Technical Advisor on Debt, African Union Commission

E-mail: [email protected]