By Christian Appolos, Grand Bassam
The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa), in collaboration with a coalition of trade unions, civil society organizations, and women and children rights’ groups, has called on African governments, as well as continental and regional organizations, to reform the continent’s economy. The coalition urged the development of clear blueprints on how to effectively utilize Africa’s vast human and natural resources for the benefit of its people.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, ITUC-Africa General Secretary, Comrade Akhator Joel Odigie, appealed to the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Union, the United States, China, and other creditors of African nations to cancel the continent’s unsustainable debt. He emphasized that this debt continues to strangle African economies and suffocate its people.
This urgent appeal was formally in a petition delivered to representatives of the government of Côte d’Ivoire on behalf of African governments, continental bodies, and regional organizations. The statement was made on February 28, 2024, in Grand Bassam, Côte d’Ivoire, following the 15th Edition of ITUC-Africa’s New Year School.
The coalition further condemned the crushing burden of Africa’s unsustainable debt and highlighted its devastating impact, not only on the current generation but also on the future of the continent’s children.
Read the full petition below.
PETITION TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CÔTE D’IVOIRE, AFRICAN GOVERNMENTS, AND KEY INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS ON THE IMPACT OF UNSUSTAINABLE DEBT ON AFRICAN ECONOMIES, WORKERS, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN.
To:
The Government of Côte d’Ivoire
The African Development Bank (AfDB)
The World Bank
The International Monetary Fund (IMF)
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the other RECs
The African Union (AU)
Urgent Call for Debt Justice and Sustainable Economic Policies to advance social justice in Africa.
We, representatives of African trade unions, civil society organisations (CSOs), workers, feminists, women in the informal sector, Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) and children’s advocates, gather here today in Abidjan to raise our collective voice against the crushing burden of debt that continues to strangle African economies and deprive millions of a dignified life and a sense of justice.
Africa, particularly Côte d’Ivoire, has been shackled by unsustainable debt, much of which has accrued under exploitative conditions that prioritise creditor profits over human development. Despite decades of borrowing to finance essential infrastructure, public services, and economic recovery, the reality is that debt servicing consumes vast portions of national budgets, reducing governments’ ability to invest in the well-being of their people.
The Impact of Debt on African Economies and Workers
Public Services in Decline: High debt repayments precede critical investments in education, healthcare, and social welfare. Schools remain underfunded, hospitals lack essential supplies, and public sector workers endure salary freezes or layoffs due to austerity measures.
Austerity Measures and Job Losses: Debt-driven structural adjustments imposed by international financial institutions have resulted in the privatisation of public services, widening accessibility and affordability by the poor. Wage stagnation, the rising cost of essential goods and services and increased job insecurity for workers are other effects of debt on our economies and people.
Weak Industrialisation and Economic Dependence: Many African economies rely on exporting raw materials rather than investing in local manufacturing and value-added industries. This dependence makes countries vulnerable to global commodity price fluctuations, perpetuating borrowing cycles.
The Impact of Debt on Women, Especially in the Informal Sector
Women Bearing the Burden of Austerity: As governments cut public services to repay debt, women are forced to fill the gaps through unpaid care work—caring for the sick, fetching water, and supporting children’s education with little or no financial support.
Financial Exclusion and Increased Vulnerability: Women in the informal sector, who make up a significant portion of Africa’s workforce, face limited access to credit and social protections, making them more vulnerable to poverty and economic shocks.
Privatisation of Basic Services Disproportionately Harms Women: Privatised healthcare, education, and sanitation services adversely affect the lowest wage earners, who struggle to afford these essential services for their families.
The Impact of Debt on Children
Education in Crisis: Debt repayments drain resources from the education sector, leading to overcrowded classrooms, a lack of teaching materials, and high school drop-out rates. Many children, especially girls, are forced into child labour due to economic hardship. When governments cannot support school-feeding programmes to support and boost school enrolment and attendance, absenteeism and school drop-out rates, especially in indigent communities, will spike.
Malnutrition and Poor Health: When governments cut subsidies for food, healthcare, and housing, children suffer from increased malnutrition, preventable diseases, and a lack of access to proper medical care.
Intergenerational Poverty: Debt burdens today are being passed on to future generations, limiting opportunities for African children to break free from the cycle of poverty.
OUR DEMANDS
We call on the Government of Côte d’Ivoire, the African Government, the African Union, ECOWAS, AfDB, IMF, World Bank, and all relevant stakeholders to take urgent and bold actions to address the debt crisis just and sustainably.
Immediate Review and Restructuring of African Debt and Lending Regimes:
Cancel or significantly reduce unsustainable debt burdens, particularly those held by international financial institutions and private creditors.
Ensure that debt restructuring negotiations prioritise the needs of African workers and citizens over creditor profits.
Review the high lending rates to African countries downward. We reject the situation where African economies borrow at eight (8) times higher rates than a country like Germany and four times higher than the United States of America.
End Harmful Austerity Policies:
Halt structural adjustment programs that impose wage caps, privatisation of public services, and cuts to social protection provisions.
Invest in pro-worker, pro-poor economic and pro-women policies that expand employment opportunities and improve wages.
Promote Domestic Resource Mobilisation and Fair Taxation:
Curb illicit financial flows and tax evasion by multinational corporations operating in Africa.
Implement progressive tax systems that ensure wealthier individuals and corporations pay their fair share.
Strengthen public financial management to ensure transparency and efficiency of borrowed funds.
Prioritise Social Investments Over Debt Repayments:
Allocate national budgets toward education, healthcare, housing, and food security instead of excessive debt servicing.
Ensure that women in the informal sector receive financial support, access to credit, and social protection provisions.
Strengthen African Economic Independence and Sovereignty:
Reduce dependence on external borrowing by fostering intra-African trade and industrialisation through the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
Advocate for fairer global financial rules that respect African nations’ sovereignty and economic rights.
Ensure Worker and Civil Society Participation in Debt Policy Decisions:
Trade unions, civil society organisations, and affected communities must have a voice in national and regional debt management discussions.
We call for establishing transparent and inclusive decision-making processes and mechanisms to enhance funds management and reduce fund looting.
CONCLUSION
The current debt crisis is not just an economic issue but a human rights crisis. African workers, women, and children should not be forced to pay the price for decades of unjust financial policies. The time for decisive action is now. We refuse to accept a future where Africa remains trapped in cycles of debt, poverty, and dependency.
We demand debt justice for Côte d’Ivoire, Africa, and future generations NOW!
Presented by:
ITUC-Africa and its affiliated Trade Unions, Partner Organisations (Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU), the African Women’s and Communication Network (FEMNET), Nawi Collective, African Forum and Network on Debt and Development (AFRODAD), Tax Justice Network Africa (TJN-A) and Trust Africa.
On Behalf of African Workers, Women, and Children Affected by the Debt Crisis
