Ethiopia’s financial woes deepened as the nation defaulted on its bond payments, failing to meet a $33 million coupon obligation due on December 11. This default, confirmed by Finance Minister Ahmed Shide, signifies a significant turn in the country’s financial strategy.
The decision not to honor the payment was underscored by a desire to maintain parity among creditors, as articulated by State TV sources on Thursday.
“Ethiopia is committed to treating all creditors equally,” affirmed Finance Minister Ahmed Shide, reflecting the government’s stance on the non-payment of the coupon.
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Hinjat Shamil, a senior reforms adviser in the Finance Ministry, acknowledged the failure to make the payment and affirmed that Ethiopia wouldn’t fulfill this obligation, according to Bloomberg. This action aligns with Ethiopia’s recent negotiation efforts with bilateral creditors to temporarily halt debt payments.
Ethiopia joins the ranks of a mounting list of developing countries grappling with defaults on Eurobonds, following in the footsteps of nations like Zambia, Ghana, and Sri Lanka. This trend is a cause for concern among economists who fear its repercussions on Africa’s overall credit rating, potentially making borrowing more arduous for the nations, notably Nigeria, the continent’s largest economy, whose economic outlook was just moved from stable to positive by Moody’s.
“Ethiopia has defaulted on her bond payments,” financial analyst, Kalu Aja noted. “Africa’s credit risk rating which was up will rise further, this means it will now be very difficult for African debt especially Nigeria to find buyers. Now FDIs (foreign direct investments) and remittances become very important to grow the economy.”
Interestingly, amidst Ethiopia’s sovereign financial struggles, Ethiopian Airlines secured a substantial $450 million loan from Citibank to acquire aircraft. This move sparked discussions about the disconnection between the sovereign risk of Ethiopia and its national carrier, prompting speculation about the nature of the default—whether it’s a strategic negotiation tactic or a genuine financial predicament.
Ethiopia has proposed restructuring its obligations, seeking an extension of the amortization maturity period and a reduction in coupon rates to alleviate its debt burden. However, it insists on maintaining the face value at $1 billion, aiming to avoid cuts on creditors’ holdings.
The decision not to pay the bond has drawn criticism, with an ad hoc committee of bondholders labeling it “unnecessary and unfortunate.”
In an attempt to navigate its financial crisis, Ethiopia is looking toward the Group of 20’s Common Framework, aiming to renegotiate its debt obligations. Zambia and Ghana have already made strides in restructuring their debts through this framework, prompting hope for coordinated debt relief from both public and private lenders, per Bloomberg.
The ongoing civil conflict in the northern Tigray region has further soured investor sentiment and impeded economic growth, prompting Ethiopia’s efforts to rework its financial liabilities beyond the current year.
This default marks a critical juncture for Ethiopia’s economy, with implications resonating beyond its borders, raising concerns about Africa’s credit rating and the accessibility of credit for other nations in the region.