On August 8, 2024, widespread youth protests erupted across several African countries, driven largely by rising debt levels and their impact on economic conditions. The protests have highlighted the growing discontent among young people over the high cost of living and perceived mismanagement by governments struggling with substantial debt obligations.
Annual debt service payments in some of the world’s poorest countries have surged by 50 percent over the past three years. In Africa, this escalating debt burden has become a catalyst for widespread protests, reflecting how economic decisions by ruling elites are affecting the poor.
Countries such as Uganda, Kenya, and Nigeria are experiencing significant youth unrest related to the cost of living, which many attribute to government fiscal measures aimed at managing debt repayments. In Kenya, for instance, protests erupted in July against the Finance Bill 2024. The bill included harsh tax measures intended to raise funds to service Kenya’s debt. The protests, led by younger generations, quickly evolved into a broader movement demanding improved governance.
Following these protests, Kenyan President William Ruto shelved the controversial bill and reconstituted the Cabinet to address public concerns. The new Cabinet was sworn in on July 24, 2024, amid ongoing demonstrations.
Jason Braganza, Executive Director of the African Forum and Network on Debt and Development (Afrodad), pointed out that the high level of debt is a key driver of the protests. He explained that governments often resort to borrowing as a means to generate future tax revenues, which can create dissatisfaction among citizens when debt servicing leads to increased taxes.
In Kenya, the government’s public and publicly guaranteed debt reached Ksh10.3 trillion ($79.3 billion) by the end of March, equivalent to 67 percent of GDP. This figure exceeds the World Bank and IMF’s recommended maximum of 55 percent. The proposed tax measures aimed to raise Ksh346 billion ($2.68 billion), or three percent of GDP, but faced strong opposition. Consequently, the government decided to cut spending on various projects to compensate for the lost revenue, though these measures have also proven unpopular.
Kenya’s debt is primarily owed to international lenders, with China being a major creditor, holding $5.7 billion of Kenya’s debt. Braganza criticized the Kenyan government’s approach, noting that it imposed unpopular tax measures to manage debt while shifting the burden onto citizens, leading to widespread frustration.
Faides Tembatemba, Action Aid Country Director for Zambia, criticized the debt situation in Africa, questioning why the continent continues to borrow despite abundant resources. She pointed to injustice and inequality as underlying causes of the youth protests.
In Uganda, protests erupted outside parliament against alleged corruption and human rights abuses by leaders. The country’s public debt had reached Ush96.1 trillion ($25.3 billion), or 52 percent of GDP, by June 2023.
Nigeria also saw protests starting on August 1, 2024, under hashtags such as #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria. These protests aimed to hold President Bola Tinubu’s government accountable for economic mismanagement and corruption.
The protests are not limited to debt alone; many African countries also face issues of governance, corruption, and misallocation of public funds. High-profile public officials often allocate funds for luxury items and improvements to their residences, which exacerbates public discontent.
Professor James Gathii of Loyola University Chicago noted that the lack of transparency in debt management contributes to the protests. He highlighted cases where debt was procured without adequate public accountability, leading to widespread disillusionment.
In April, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that 40 percent of the world’s population lives in countries where debt servicing consumes more public funds than health or education. He described the global debt crisis as a “raging bonfire,” noting that debt service in sub-Saharan Africa alone accounted for nearly half of all government revenue in 2023.
Guterres stressed the need for decisive action to address debt and liquidity challenges to avoid another “lost decade” for many developing countries, which could hinder progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
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