Ethiopia is aiming for significant progress by December in its negotiations with creditor nations to restructure its debt, according to a presentation made to private bondholders on Tuesday. The country is seeking to put its debt rework on track after defaulting in December 2023.
As Ethiopia works towards a $3.4 billion program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), it has invited bondholders to participate in parallel negotiations to expedite the restructuring process. The government outlined potential terms for a bond restructuring, including an 18% haircut on the nominal value of outstanding dollar bonds.
A group of foreign bondholders, however, remains disappointed with the proposed haircut, arguing that Ethiopia faces a liquidity issue rather than a solvency problem. The government has not yet responded to this view.
The IMF estimates Ethiopia’s external debt to be around $28.9 billion, with a significant portion owed to multilateral lenders. The country also owes substantial amounts to bilateral lenders, including China and Saudi Arabia.
Ethiopia’s recent agreement with the IMF on a staff level review of its reforms program could potentially unlock a $345 million disbursement. As the country continues its efforts to address its debt challenges, the outcome of these negotiations will be closely watched by investors and international financial institutions.