UN agency, firm to host credit rating forum in Nairobi

Business
By James Wanzala | May 23, 2024
Credit ratings have become an important part of Africa's development financing landscape. [iStockphoto]

The United Nations Development Programme Africa (UNDP Africa) will next week host a high-level panel discussion on credit rating in partnership with Africatalyst.

Themed developing credit rating solutions for Africa's financial needs, the event will feature in-person sessions and virtual participation on the sidelines of the 59th annual meeting of the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Nairobi.

Panellists will explore the challenges associated with financing development in Africa, shedding light on the regulatory framework governing credit rating agencies while exploring alternative innovative solutions to empower governments to access critical financing.

Participants will include experts from government, academia, research, finance, private sector, civil society and development partners.

"Credit ratings have become an important part of Africa's development financing landscape. However, we're finding that the costs of those Eurobonds are usually really high and are linked to how African countries are rated," said Chief Economist and Head of Strategy, Analysis and Research at UNDP Africa Raymond Gilpin.

"Our high-level panel on May 28, 2024, will interrogate some of the issues relating to credit ratings their costs and practical things that African countries must do to lower the costs of borrowing."

The event will seek to evaluate the impact of credit ratings on investment decisions and access to international capital markets by African countries, examine the regulatory environment governing credit rating agencies and propose measures to mitigate negative effects.

Share this story
How Treasury diverted Sh30 billion Eurobond money to cover domestic debt
The National Treasury is under the spotlight for diverting Sh30 billion that had been borrowed through issuance of a Eurobond last year to cover shortfalls in domestic borrowing.
KenGen's ambitious 5,500 MW plan to deal with rising demand for electricity
KenGen has announced plans to pump an extra 5,500 Mega Watts of electricity into the national grid to deal with the rising demand for electricity
Public servants given until August 14 to update pension records
Government has directed all public servants to update their records with the Public Service Superannuation Fund by August 14, 2026, in the latest step towards modernising pension administration.
Insurers bundle investments with cover as uptake stalls
Kenya's insurers are increasingly combining investment products with health and life cover to boost insurance uptake, which remains among the lowest globally.
Asharami to breakground on KPRL, gas terminal in October
Nigeria’s Asharami Synergy is set to start construction of the 30,000 metric tonne cooking gas storage facility at Kenya Petroleum Refineries Limited in Changamwe in October.
.
RECOMMENDED NEWS