By Chinedum Treasure
Residents of Adaka community in Makurdi, Benue State, have called for reforms to the global sovereign debt system, saying Africa’s growing debt burden is limiting investment in healthcare, education and other essential services.
The appeal was made during a community advocacy programme organised by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria.
President of Advocacy Club Adaka, Mr. Moses Usuwe, said African countries pay higher borrowing costs than developed nations despite facing greater development needs.
He urged international lenders to adopt fairer loan terms to enable governments invest more in public services.
The community also called for the creation of a Borrowers’ Forum to strengthen developing countries’ bargaining power, the allocation of one per cent of global Artificial Intelligence (AI) revenues to support development in Africa, and automatic suspension of debt repayments during disasters and public health emergencies.
AHF Nigeria’s Senior Advocacy and Marketing Manager, Mr. Steve Aborisade, said many African countries spend more on debt servicing than on healthcare and education, making it difficult to meet citizens’ basic needs.
He noted that collective negotiations for lower interest rates and temporary debt repayment pauses during emergencies would free up resources for critical sectors.
Traditional ruler of Mbagbaange community, Chief Nicholas Angbianshio, commended AHF Nigeria for empowering rural communities to advocate for policies that promote sustainable development.
Tags: Benue, Africa Debt, AHF Nigeria, Healthcare, Development
