Abstract

Public debt in Sub-Saharan Africa has grown rapidly over the last decade, driven by rising borrowing needs, pandemic-related spending, and increased reliance on commercial and bilateral loans. This surge has led to escalating debt-servicing costs, often consuming a significant share of government revenues and constraining social and developmental expenditures. While regional growth projections remain moderately positive, weak per-capita income gains and limited fiscal space continue to undermine long-term debt sustainability. This review combines mathematical assessments—including debt-to-GDP ratios, debt service-to-revenue thresholds, and fiscal sustainability benchmarks—with an administrative analysis of revenue mobilization, restructuring measures, and governance frameworks. Together, these perspectives provide an integrated understanding of the challenges and pathways toward sustainable debt management in Sub-Saharan Africa.