Zambia Requests $8.4 Billion Debt Repayment Reprieve

File image of Zambian President Haikinde Hichilema. Dan Kitwood / POOL / AFP

The Zambian government is calling on its external creditors, including China, to provide it with $8.4 billion of debt relief in the next few years. The request was included in a new report published by the International Monetary Fund on Tuesday, the latest step in Zambia’s drive to restructure $17.3 billion of external debt obligations.

If approved by Lusaka’s creditors, which is not assured, that would amount to a cancellation of 90% of the country’s estimated payments to both private and official creditors through 2025.

  • Get a daily email packed with the latest news and analysis from Africa, Asia, and across the Global South.
  • Read exclusive insights on the key trends shaping China’s relations across the Global South.
  • Full access to the News Feed that provides daily updates on Chinese engagement in the Global South.

China, Africa and the Global South... find out what’s happening.

Subscribe today for unlimited access.

What is The China-Global South Project?

Independent

The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.

News

A carefully curated selection of the day’s most important China-Global South stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms.

Analysis

Diverse, often unconventional insights from scholars, analysts, journalists and a variety of stakeholders in the China-Global South discourse.

Networking

A unique professional network of China-Africa scholars, analysts, journalists and other practioners from around the world.