Leading African bankers assert that the continent's nations face disproportionately low credit ratings, resulting in significantly higher borrowing costs. Standard Bank CEO Sim Tshabalala labeled the situation scandalous, stating the extra expense suppresses annual economic growth by about two percentage points. He and Absa CEO Kenny Fihla agreed that African sovereigns are routinely rated several notches below their fundamental creditworthiness.
This disparity, termed a prejudice premium by the Africa Finance Corp., is estimated to cost the continent 75 billion dollars annually in additional interest. An International Monetary Fund study confirmed that sub-Saharan countries pay roughly half a percentage point more than similarly rated peers. Despite challenging international narratives, Access Bank CEO Roosevelt Ogbonna pointed to Nigeria's successful recent eurobond issuance as evidence that investors can see beyond negative headlines and accurately assess risk.
This disparity, termed a prejudice premium by the Africa Finance Corp., is estimated to cost the continent 75 billion dollars annually in additional interest. An International Monetary Fund study confirmed that sub-Saharan countries pay roughly half a percentage point more than similarly rated peers. Despite challenging international narratives, Access Bank CEO Roosevelt Ogbonna pointed to Nigeria's successful recent eurobond issuance as evidence that investors can see beyond negative headlines and accurately assess risk.
