Africa’s total external debt reached the USD 1 tln mark in 2022 and is predicted to increase to USD 1.13 tln by the end of this year, according to the AfDB. Contributing factors to the surge in Africa’s external debt include rising energy and food prices due to the Russia-Ukraine war and increased costs associated with climate change adaptation. External debt service payments for 16 African countries rose from USD 21.2 bln in 2022 to USD 22.3 bln in 2023.