Africa Economy

Debt management has become a key challenge for many emerging markets as the coronavirus pandemic continues, with major creditors debating the suspension and perhaps even reduction of debt.

As many countries turn to debt to help fund their recoveries from the coronavirus pandemic, an increasing number of governments and companies are looking at sustainability-focused financial instruments such as green bonds to fund major projects.

While the coronavirus pandemic has had a negative impact on many businesses throughout 2020, a recent rebound in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) has pointed towards a partial recovery in investor sentiment – as well as demonstrating that certain sectors have taken on greater importance as a result of Covid-19.

With a view to stimulating an economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, African governments are pushing ahead with plans to implement a continent-wide free trade zone, with a particular emphasis on e-commerce and digital payments.

With the world’s gaze increasingly trained on the upcoming US elections, emerging economies are also grappling with the question of how to facilitate voting in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.