Top 10 African countries with the highest IMF debt in July 2025
Business Insider Africa presents the top 10 African countries with the highest debt to the IMF in July 2025.
This list is courtesy of data from the IMF's website.
Egypt ranks number 1 on the list.
While these financial aids are frequently portrayed as lifelines for weak countries, the long-term consequences of high IMF debt are raising concerns across the continent.
Egypt got $1.2 billion after completing the fourth assessment of its $8 billion loan program, increasing the total amount disbursed to $3.5 billion.
However, the IMF cautioned that Egypt is under "high sovereign stress," with external debt expected to climb from $162.7 billion in 2024/25 to more than $202 billion by the end of the decade.
Similarly, Ethiopia received $262 million following a successful third program review, although its financial situation remains fragile.
The government is discussing a $8.4 billion restructuring with official creditors under the G20's Common Framework while also preparing to repay a $1 billion Eurobond.
The combined burden of IMF loans and commercial debt is straining national budgets and impeding growth projects.
On July 8, the IMF published a new analytical note on "How to Stabilize Africa's Debt", emphasizing that debt stabilization typically hinges on stronger institutions, growth-friendly fiscal reforms, and IMF-supported macro stability.
Senegal offers a warning story. Disbursements were halted after officials acknowledged to underreporting debt, and the percentage was revised from 74% to over 100% of GDP. S&P downgraded the country, while IMF assistance remains stalled until a realistic recovery plan.
These instances highlight a larger issue: while IMF loans can help prevent economic crises, they frequently come with stringent conditions, austerity measures, and little freedom for domestic development goals.
Without proper management, governments risk being locked in a cycle of borrowing and repaying, hurting economic and public trust.
Having highlighted these facts, here are the African countries with the largest debts to the IMF in July 2025, as per the IMF's database.
Compared to the list last month, IMF credits for Egypt, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, DRC, Ethiopia, and Tanzania increased, while the rest reduced.
Top 10 African countries with the highest IMF debt in July 2025
Rank Country Total IMF Credit Outstanding as of 07/21/2025
1. Egypt 7,422,862,519
2. Cote d'Ivoire 3,104,687,108
3. Kenya 3,022,009,900
4. Angola 2,721,883,340
5. Ghana 2,707,198,500
6. DRC 1,952,850,000
7. Ethiopia 1,593,683,500
8. Tanzania 1,335,730,000
9. Cameroon 1,150,920,000
10. Senegal 992,936,112
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Insider
24 minutes ago
- Business Insider
India ramps up rare earth partnership with 5 African nations to counter China's dominance
India is intensifying its engagement with Africa in a strategic bid to diversify its sources of rare earth elements (REEs) amid growing global concerns over China's dominance in the critical minerals market. India is enhancing collaborations with Africa to secure rare earth elements (REEs) and reduce its reliance on China. This move addresses global concerns over China's dominance, controlling over 90% of REE supply, and its recent export restrictions. India's partnerships include agreements with Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Côte D'Ivoire and other countries Reuters reports that China currently controls over 90% of the global supply, raising urgent concerns about supply chain security. Earlier this year, Beijing further restricted the export of rare-earth magnets, escalating pressure on countries dependent on the technology. In response, India has stepped up its bilateral outreach to strengthen its supply chain and reduce reliance on Chinese exports. According to India's Minister of State for Atomic Energy, Jitendra Singh, New Delhi already has cooperation agreements in place with mineral-rich countries, including key African suppliers of rare earth and critical minerals. "In the interest of developing bilateral cooperation with countries having rich mineral resources, the Ministry of Mines has entered into bilateral agreements with the governments of several countries, including Australia, Argentina, Zambia, Peru, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, and Côte D'Ivoire, as well as international organizations such as the International Energy Agency (IEA)," Singh said in a written statement. While India's engagement also spans countries in Latin America and Asia, Africa stands out as a vital partner due to its vast untapped reserves and growing geopolitical importance. Consequently the emerging Asian giant has begun initiating government-to-government memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with countries like Brazil and the Dominican Republic. Singh added, " The broad objective of the MoUs is to provide an overarching framework for cooperation in research, development, and innovation in mining, with a particular focus on rare earth elements (REE) and critical minerals." Mineral-rich Africa emerges as rare earth battleground Africa, endowed with vast reserves of rare earth minerals vital to modern technology, has become the epicentre of a growing geopolitical contest involving China, the West, and India. These minerals, essential for powering electric vehicles, smartphones, military systems, and clean energy technologies, are now seen as strategic assets that could reshape the global balance of power. India, now the world's fifth-largest economy, is leveraging its democratic credentials and expanding global clout to position itself as a strategic partner. Its investments, particularly in sectors like electric mobility, defence, and renewable energy, rely heavily on a stable supply of rare earths. This engagement initiated by India, is part of a broader global race not only to access raw materials but to influence the future of manufacturing, trade, and technological advancement. Unlike previous extractive models, the emerging approach places greater emphasis on value addition within Africa. Many governments across the continent are pushing for processing, infrastructure development, and local job creation, aiming to convert mineral wealth into long-term economic growth.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
Magnetic Resources Joins 2 Other ASX Penny Stocks Worth Watching
The Australian market has experienced a mixed performance recently, with significant declines in materials and financials contrasted by gains in the energy sector. Despite these fluctuations, investors continue to seek opportunities beyond the major players, exploring areas like penny stocks for potential growth. While the term "penny stock" might seem outdated, these smaller or newer companies can still offer surprising value when backed by strong financials and stability. Top 10 Penny Stocks In Australia Name Share Price Market Cap Financial Health Rating Alfabs Australia (ASX:AAL) A$0.40 A$114.64M ★★★★☆☆ EZZ Life Science Holdings (ASX:EZZ) A$2.14 A$100.95M ★★★★★★ GTN (ASX:GTN) A$0.59 A$112.49M ★★★★★★ IVE Group (ASX:IGL) A$3.00 A$462.55M ★★★★★☆ West African Resources (ASX:WAF) A$2.38 A$2.71B ★★★★★★ Southern Cross Electrical Engineering (ASX:SXE) A$1.78 A$470.65M ★★★★★★ Regal Partners (ASX:RPL) A$2.90 A$975.05M ★★★★★★ Navigator Global Investments (ASX:NGI) A$1.815 A$889.49M ★★★★★☆ Austco Healthcare (ASX:AHC) A$0.38 A$138.44M ★★★★★★ CTI Logistics (ASX:CLX) A$1.86 A$149.81M ★★★★☆☆ Click here to see the full list of 464 stocks from our ASX Penny Stocks screener. Here's a peek at a few of the choices from the screener. Magnetic Resources Simply Wall St Financial Health Rating: ★★★★☆☆ Overview: Magnetic Resources NL is involved in the exploration of mineral tenements in Western Australia and has a market cap of A$411.91 million. Operations: Currently, there are no reported revenue segments for the company. Market Cap: A$411.91M Magnetic Resources NL, with a market cap of A$411.91 million, is currently pre-revenue and unprofitable, lacking significant revenue streams. The company has less than a year of cash runway based on its current free cash flow and no long-term liabilities or debt. Its short-term assets significantly surpass short-term liabilities, indicating sound financial management despite its challenges. Recent board changes include the appointment of Aaron Sim as an alternate director, bringing extensive financial advisory experience to the table. Earnings are forecast to grow significantly annually; however, past losses have increased over five years at 18.8% per year. Take a closer look at Magnetic Resources' potential here in our financial health report. Learn about Magnetic Resources' future growth trajectory here. NextEd Group Simply Wall St Financial Health Rating: ★★★★☆☆ Overview: NextEd Group Limited offers educational services across Australia, Europe, and South America with a market cap of A$51.09 million. Operations: NextEd Group's revenue is primarily derived from its International Vocational segment at A$73.79 million, followed by Technology & Design at A$11.29 million, Domestic Vocational at A$9.22 million, and Go Study Group contributing A$6.16 million. Market Cap: A$51.09M NextEd Group Limited, with a market cap of A$51.09 million, primarily generates revenue from its International Vocational segment. Despite being unprofitable and not expected to achieve profitability in the next three years, it benefits from a strong cash runway exceeding three years due to positive free cash flow growth. The company is debt-free but faces challenges with short-term assets not covering liabilities. Recent leadership changes include appointing Andrew Nye as Chief Financial Officer, bringing extensive financial management expertise. Although NextEd trades at good value compared to peers, losses have increased significantly over the past five years. Dive into the specifics of NextEd Group here with our thorough balance sheet health report. Examine NextEd Group's earnings growth report to understand how analysts expect it to perform. Perenti Simply Wall St Financial Health Rating: ★★★★★★ Overview: Perenti Limited is a global mining services company with a market capitalization of A$1.64 billion. Operations: Perenti's revenue is primarily derived from Contract Mining Services at A$2.50 billion, followed by Drilling Services at A$750.65 million, and Mining Services and Idoba contributing A$229.77 million. Market Cap: A$1.64B Perenti Limited, with a market cap of A$1.64 billion, primarily derives revenue from Contract Mining Services (A$2.50 billion). Despite negative earnings growth over the past year and lower profit margins (2.5% compared to last year's 3.9%), the company is trading at a significant discount to its estimated fair value. Perenti's debt management has improved, with a reduced debt-to-equity ratio now at 45.5%, and its short-term assets exceed both short- and long-term liabilities, indicating solid financial footing. Earnings are forecasted to grow annually by 24.84%, supported by high-quality past earnings performance and stable weekly volatility (5%). Get an in-depth perspective on Perenti's performance by reading our balance sheet health report here. Evaluate Perenti's prospects by accessing our earnings growth report. Summing It All Up Jump into our full catalog of 464 ASX Penny Stocks here. Ready To Venture Into Other Investment Styles? AI is about to change healthcare. These 26 stocks are working on everything from early diagnostics to drug discovery. The best part - they are all under $10b in market cap - there's still time to get in early. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include ASX:MAU ASX:NXD and ASX:PRN. This article was originally published by Simply Wall St. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data
Business Insider
13 hours ago
- Business Insider
Top 10 Africa cities with more than one million inhabitants
As Africa undergoes rapid urbanisation, a growing number of its cities have surpassed the one million population mark, solidifying their roles as regional economic, political, and cultural hubs. Many African cities now exceed one million residents due to rapid urbanisation. Lagos, Cairo, and Kinshasa are among Africa's largest cities, with Lagos having nearly 16 million residents. Policymakers face challenges like infrastructure gaps and housing shortages due to accelerated population growth. From the sprawling energy of Lagos to the organised chaos of Kinshasa, Africa's largest cities are now home to tens of millions; but what qualifies as a 'city' in population statistics depends heavily on how the term is defined. Recent global data (2023) reveals that at least 10 African cities boast populations exceeding 1 million, with some surpassing 15 million. Each city's classification varies depending on administrative boundaries, governance models, and geographic footprint. These definitions have significant implications for funding, infrastructure planning, and urban policy and international recognition, particularly when distinguishing between metropolises and province-level cities. The ranking, compiled by Visual Capitalist and based on 2023 projections, utilizes three key definitions to measure urban population: city proper, urban area, and metropolitan area. Each definition captures distinct aspects of urban life, governance, and density. Here are Africa's most populous cities, all surpassing the one million mark, along with their respective classifications: Ranking City Country Inhabitants City Defintion 1 Lagos Nigeria 15,946,000 Metropolis 2 Kinshasa DR Congo 14,565,700 Province-Level City 3 Cairo Egypt 9,801,536 City 4 Luanda Angola 9,079,800 Province 5 Abidjan Cote d'voire 5,616,633 City (ville) 6 Johannesburg South Africa 4,803,262 Metropolitan municipality 7 Cape Town South Africa 4,772,846 Metropolitan municipality 8 Nairobi Kenya 4,750,100 Consolidated city-county 9 Kano Nigeria 4,648,400 Metropolis 10 Giza Egypt 4,458,135 City The table highlights some of Africa's most populous cities, each with well over a million inhabitants. Leading the list is Lagos, Nigeria, with nearly 16 million people, followed closely by Kinshasa, DR Congo, and Cairo, Egypt. These cities exemplify the rapid urban growth seen across the continent. Luanda in Angola and Abidjan in Côte d'Ivoire also reflect this trend, each hosting millions of residents. These population figures underscore the increasing importance of African megacities as economic, cultural, and political hubs in their respective regions. The rising tide of urbanisation These rapidly growing African cities reflect a wider demographic shift, with urban populations projected to double by 2050, according to the UN. Over half of all Africans will live in cities, driven by migration, population growth, and economic change. However, urban expansion has often outpaced infrastructure, leading to housing shortages, congestion, and weak service delivery in cities like Lagos, Kinshasa, and Nairobi.
