African Development Bank Group has said that it will host the Secretariat of the Africa Natural Capital Accounting Community of Practice, strengthening its leadership role in integrating natural capital into climate-resilient development strategies across the continent. As the new host, the Bank Group will provide premises for the Secretariat at its Abidjan headquarters, review and implement the Africa NCA CoP strategy and action plan in line with the Bank Group priority for natural resources value addition and work with partners including the World Bank, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the African Union to mobilize resources to scale up activities across the continent. The NCA-COP, launched in 2020 and now comprising more than 500 members from 48 African countries, promotes technical capacity building, data-driven policymaking, and knowledge sharing on natural capital accounting. It was previously hosted by the World Bank.
The Bank announced the development during a side event at the recently concluded Africa Climate Summit 2.0 in Addis Ababa that brought together policymakers, development partners, and practitioners to discuss the importance of mainstreaming natural capital into national policies, economic planning, and investment strategies. Fred Kabanda, Manager of the Bank Group’s African Natural Resources Management and Investment Centre, stressed the Bank’s commitment to natural capital. “The African Development Bank is prioritizing natural capital as outlined in its Natural Resources Management and Investment Action Plan (2025–2029), which is anchored in the Ten-Year Strategy (2024–2033). Hosting the Africa NCA CoP Secretariat allows the Bank to strengthen capacities, foster collaboration, and ensure that natural capital is fully integrated into policies and investments that drive climate-resilient development across Africa.” Africa’s abundant natural resources are vital to its economies, livelihoods, and poverty reduction efforts. Yet the value of natural capital is frequently underrepresented in conventional economic measures, leaving ecosystems undervalued and climate vulnerabilities unaddressed. By taking on hosting the NCA CoP Secretariat, the African Development Bank is set to ensure continuity, strengthen continental ownership, and advance policy engagement on natural capital accounting, ultimately unlocking Africa’s potential for inclusive, green, and climate-resilient development.
Global Debt above 235% of global gross domestic product—IMF
International Monetary Fund IMF, has said that total global debt was little changed last year, just above 235 per cent of global gross domestic product, according to the latest update of the IMF’s Global Debt Database
It said that Global debt has stabilized, though it remains at an elevated level, as a continued reduction in private-sector lending offset greater borrowing by governments. Total debt was little changed last year, just above 235 per cent of global gross domestic product, according to the latest update of the IMF’s Global Debt Database. Private debt declined to under 143 per cent of GDP, the lowest level since 2015, reflecting a reduction in household liabilities and little change in non-financial corporate debt. In contrast, public debt rose to nearly 93 per cent, according to our database reflecting an annual survey of the amount and composition of debt held by governments, businesses, and households. In US dollar terms, total debt increased slightly to $251 trillion, with public debt rising to $99.2 trillion and private debt decreasing to $151.8 trillion.
Diverging trends across income groups
These global averages mask notable differences across countries and income groups. While the US and China continue to play a dominant role in shaping global debt dynamics, as our April Fiscal Monitor showed, debt and deficit levels in many countries are still high and concerning by historical standards, in both advanced and emerging economies.
In the US, general government debt last year rose to 121 per cent of GDP (from 119 percent), while China saw an increase to 88 per cent (from 82 percent). Excluding the US, public debt in advanced economies fell by more than 2.5 points to 110 per cent of GDP. Increases in some large, advanced economies like France and the UK were offset by declines in Japan and smaller economies, such as Greece and Portugal. Excluding China, public debt in emerging markets and developing economies edged down to under 56 per cent on average. Private debt trends varied significantly across countries. The United States experienced a significant drop of 4.5 percentage points, to 143 per cent of GDP), while China recorded an increase of 6 points, to 206 percent of GDP. Among other emerging markets and developing economies, private borrowing surged in larger economies like Brazil, India, and Mexico, but declined in Chile, Colombia, and Thailand.
What drives public and private debt patterns?
The persistently high global fiscal deficit, averaging around 5 percent of GDP, is the main driver of rising public debt. This deficit still reflects legacy costs from the Covid-19—such as subsidies and social benefits―combined with rising net interest costs. The decline in private debt stems from different factors depending on the country and income group. In many advanced economies, companies are borrowing less, likely in response to subdued growth prospects, continuing a trend started in 2023. In the US, strong balance sheet positions and cash holdings are also contributing to lower corporate borrowing. In other cases, rising public debt alongside falling private debt suggests a crowding-out effect, in which heavy public borrowing limits credit availability or raises its cost for the private sector. In China, the increase in private debt was led by non-financial corporate debt. The pickup, despite ongoing weakness in the property sector, reflects still-ample credit supply, especially to support strategic sectors. In contrast, household debt edged lower, as soft mortgage demand and concerns over employment and wage growth continue to weigh on borrowing.
Elsewhere in large emerging markets and developing economies, rising private debt stems from high interest rates and their impact on non-performing loans (as in Brazil), improved near-term growth prospects (as in India), and corporate mergers and acquisitions. Conversely, weaker growth prospects have led to private debt declines in countries such as Colombia or Thailand. In low-income countries, recent debt dynamics reflect a range of additional factors. They include more limited financial development, tight liquidity conditions, and crowding-out effects linked to the sovereign debt-private debt nexus. Governments should help manage these trends by prioritizing gradual fiscal adjustments within a credible medium-term plan to reduce public debt, while helping to avoid crowding- out private borrowing and investment. At the same time, fostering an environment that boosts economic growth and reduces uncertainty will help ease public debt and encourage private sector investment.
