By Wakumelo Mataa
Following a rapid increase in its debt stock over the past decade, Zambia has continued to run the economy under a very tight fiscal space as debt repayment obligations left Government with little resources to allocate towards social and economic sectors that safeguard the livelihoods of Zambians and grow the domestic economy.
Recent revelations from the Ministry of Finance indicate that, besides the country defaulting on its interest payment on one of its euro bonds that was due on 14th October 2020, Zambia has actually already defaulted with other creditors. While we remain hopeful that the Country will manage to honour its debt obligations, it has become apparent that we take a glance at the social and economic implications of a sovereign default for an economy like Zambia.
A common finding is that a default may lead to a diminution in capital flows (this may be in part because sovereign defaults often occur together with devaluations). The reduction in investor confidence that follows after a sovereign default in tells a subsequent reduction in foreign exchange inflows over the medium-term which may, in turn, lead to an even deeper depreciation in the Kwacha against major currencies.
Ultimately, this would consequently trigger a sharp rise in the amount of Kwacha that will be needed to service the same amount of debt repayment in dollar terms. Thus, the country may actually find itself in a worse position post-the relief period if exchange rate pressures are not addressed as a matter of urgency.
Moreover, a default ruins the reputation of the country thereby leading to an exclusion of the defaulting country from the international financial market. Hence, Zambia may temporarily lose access to the international capital markets and may be subjected to higher sovereign borrowing costs in its future transactions.
Additionally, holders of defaulted bonds may interfere with cross-border payments to other creditors who had previously agreed to a debt restructuring, such as the G20 creditors and the China Development Bank. If all cross-border payments are blocked, Zambia would not be able to borrow abroad—no creditor would lend if it were unable to collect the payments. This will inevitably present serious challenges to the implementation of the 2021 National budget whose 43% of funding is projected to come from domestic and external financing.
A debt repayment default may also lead to a decline in international trade for at least three reasons: First, creditors could use tariff and nontariff barriers to reduce trade with Zambia. Second, default could lead to the collapse of trade credit, thereby increasing the costs of trade.
Finally, creditors could seize the debtor’s foreign assets, including tradable goods. However, there is little evidence of asset seizures following a default, although, from the creditor’s point of view, this may be a viable option should the negotiations completely break down. For much of history, the doctrine of sovereign immunity prevents creditors from suing a defaulter in foreign courts. Moreover, even if creditors could win a judgment, they would find little to take, since Zambia does not own extensive assets in foreign jurisdictions.
Several recent court cases have illustrated the near impossibility of taking sovereign assets as compensation for default. For example, an Argentine naval ship detained in Ghana on behalf of creditors was released after an appeal to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea. Furthermore, a default may lead to costs in other spheres of international relations, particularly those that are called reputational spill-overs. A default will most likely signal that the government is unreliable, not just in terms of debt management, but also in terms of international affairs more generally. Foreign partners might be less willing to make direct investments or enter into trade agreements with Zambia.
The debt implications on social sectors and welfare of the people are quite diverse and are one which Zambia has a history of grappling with. With rising debt, comes also a rise in the cost of debt service which has evidently crowded out Government spending on critical social sectors. Government spending on education and health as an allocation in the national budget has been reducing for the past 5 years. This is below international standards set like the Abuja and the Cairo protocol for which Zambia has committed. This can be strongly tied to the rising allocations towards debt service.
Moreover, the economic impacts of a debt repayment default may have a significant bearing on the social wellbeing of the people. As prices of goods and services increase, the cost of living also increases. For instance, the basic cost of living in Lusaka is K7, 060.00 for a family of 5 according to the Jesuits Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR). This means more people need assistance through Government welfare schemes such as social cash transfer.
EFF OFF!!!! You doomsayers. Go suck on your mama tittys you upnd under 5s
It’s not potential implications anymore. It’s implications. Period.
Kazhila Croffat Chinsembu that is correct we need to now be talking of solutions that will get us out of the mess .
Debt, debt, debt – yes, it sounds gloomy doesn’t it? But borrowing is what drives world economies. What’s needed is streamlining borrowing to your capabilities; not doing away with it. You cannot develop without borrowing!
Lab tech should learn something from this article
Lab tech can’t offer any tangible solutions on this debt that has been accrued. We all know lungu and his minions have profited immensely – stealing and corruption
These fools have no dignity. Lab tech keeps on spitting crap about the western countries. Please remind which countries are developing this covid vaccine.
We shall be begging for vaccine for free let alone pay for it.
KZ please stop taking load of crap. Your thick head needs to checked up in a mental hospital
#4 Zennia correct. There’s always hope to repay debt. But economic growth must come first after borrowing..
Stop reading those old economics text books. Zambia needs to grow it’s economy and that in itself will incur large debts which will be in proportion to the growing economy. Zambia is rich in natural resources and if we the people start thinking about diversifying and adding value to what we do rather than adopting the culture of inheriting and abusing. With the right mindset, Zambia can pay off it’s debts within 2 years. Ask the same people who are inciting this nonses how much debt their respective countries owe. Check the top 20 and see if Zambia is on that list. We need to grow our economy even if it means borrowing more money. These chaps yapping have been promised jobs by HH so they want to sound intelligent.
@Kaizer who this styupid boy tormenting you PF on debt? Look at picture, he looks so styupid like Antonio Mwanza.
Ok fair enough, let’s see how HH will borrow and spend. He has experience in borrowing to grow businesses unlike Chakolwa Lungu. Now that we know what a cadre president can do let’s try a business man.
As an Economist, Zambia will dig out of this hole PF has put us in. We will judge his performance 2 years after his inauguration. CHANGE is always good.
Prudence handling of loans helps to generate revenues whose part of it can help in repayments. If the loans are ment to servicewise benefit citizens, the cost-benefit-analysis could have been conducted. In the absence of the foresaid, The country must look for loans repayment money but not on the premise that will deprive citizen’s access to Public goods and public services. Some of the solutions are cut unnecessary expenditures, being prudent on resource utilization, eradicate corruption completely, supervise civil servants strictly to avoid any resource linkage, leadership to craft and implement hostility measures whole heartedly to their blood and bornes without cosmetic pretenses,… A lot can be said on this topic. Senior citizen. PhD in Finance.
Pf were borrowing on the premise that forigne investers will flood into Zambia to provide jobs and grow the economy……
That has not happened…..now they are running around like headless chickens comparing zambia to countries who make jetliners and satellights who are apparently also in debt……….????