The international debate has focused on the risk of a debt crisis in Africa. Yet behind the numbers, a paradox persists: the continent suffers less from excessive debt than from a structural financing gap. At this latest Hors-champ event, Mansa invites us to examine this divide and explore models of cooperation capable of supporting Africa’s transitions.
Against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions, budgetary constraints, the climate emergency, and profound demographic shifts, the international debate has largely focused on the risk of a debt crisis in Africa. Yet several economists point out a paradox: the continent faces less of an excess of debt than a structural financing gap, even as investment needs related to economic transition, urbanization, and infrastructure remain substantial.
Is Africa truly over-indebted, or does it primarily suffer from a lack of access to financing? What models of international cooperation are emerging today? What role can public development banks and international partners play in addressing the continent’s social, economic, and climate challenges?
This event aims to provide a broader perspective on contemporary African economic trajectories, examining the interplay between growth dynamics, social pressures, political transformations, and issues of sovereignty.
A time for analysis and discussion to consider the conditions for financing African development in a changing world.
SPEAKERS
Thomas Melonio – Chief Economist and Executive Director of Innovation, Strategy, and Research at the French Development Agency (AFD). An expert on development issues and African economic dynamics.
Falilou Fall – Economist at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), specializing in growth, productivity, and economic development.
Yara Rizk – Business reporter and department head at CFNews.
Organized in partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD), this event marks the release of The African Economy 2026 (published by La Découverte, Repères series), a collective work bringing together academics specializing in African dynamics and researchers from the AFD.
