By Marvellous Nyang
April 24, 2025
In a significant move towards transforming Africa’s debt landscape, former Nigeria’s Vice President and African Leaders Debt Relief Initiative (ALDRI) envoy, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, spearheaded a high-level discussion focused on viable debt relief strategies for the continent.
Osinbajo engaged in a crucial conversation with two prominent global economic figures, Mr. Trevor Manuel, renowned anti-apartheid leader and former South African Minister of Finance, and Mr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, the UN Secretary-General’s lead expert on debt issues.
The meeting zeroed in on sustainable solutions to Africa’s growing debt burden, with Osinbajo emphasising the need for a more equitable international financial framework.
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“The current global debt architecture must evolve if Africa is to thrive,” Osinbajo asserted.
Mr. Manuel, also the chair of the G20 Africa Expert Panel, brought decades of policy expertise, stressing the urgency of restructuring mechanisms that address Africa’s distinct challenges.
Mr. Mohieldin echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of aligning debt relief strategies with long-term development objectives.
This dialogue represents a pivotal step in ALDRI’s mission to bring together key global thinkers and advocate for actionable reforms on the world stage, guided by Osinbajo’s diplomatic and economic expertise.
