Nigeria: For every $1 billion external loan repaid in the past decade, approximately $3 billion was borrowed

Nigeria's debt burden has been a growing concern, with data revealing that for every $1 billion external loan repaid in the past decade, approximately $3 billion was borrowed. Here, we look at how the country has managed its external debt in the past ten years.

Source:

Debt Management Office

Period:

2013 - 2022
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South Africa’s digital service imports still outweighed exports as of 2024, even after 300% growth since 2005
  • South Africa’s digital service imports consistently overshadowed export earnings, despite exports growing by over 300% since 2005.
  • South Africa exported $76.418 billion in digital services between 2005 and 2024.
  • Imports during the same period reached $113.67 billion.
  • The result was a trade deficit of $37.252 billion in over 20 years.
  • Exports rose from just $1.71 billion in 2005 to $7.05 billion in 2024.
Ghana recorded $53.00B in digital services imports against $49.1B in exports in 20 years
  • Ghana exported $49.11 billion in digital services between 2005 and 2024.
  • Digital services imports recorded during the same period was $53.00 billion.
  • Ghana recorded a $3.9 billion trade deficit across the two decades.
  • Exports grew from just $78 million in 2005 to $5.18 billion in 2024.
Since 2005, Egypt’s digital service imports have consistently exceeded exports, creating a $56b deficit
  • Egypt spends twice as much on digital services imports than it earns from exports, with $8.31b on imports and $4.03b from exports recorded in 2024.
  • Egypt exported $46.007 billion in digital services between 2005 and 2024.
  • Imports during the same period reached $101.98 billion.
  • The result was a trade deficit of $55.973 billion in over 20 years.
  • Export earnings rose from just $1.91 billion in 2005 to $4.03 billion in 2024.
Over the past 20 years, Morocco has maintained a consistent trade surplus in digital services, totaling $26.44 billion
  • Morocco recorded a total of $61.75 billion digital services trade exports and $35.31 billion imports, revealing a staggering $26.44 billion trade profit in 20 years.
  • Morocco has always been the leading country in Africa as far as digital services trade is concerned.
  • From 2005-2024, Morocco digital services exports have always outpaced imports.
  • Morocco digital export earnings have grown from $1.11b in 2005 to $6.74b in 2024, revealing over 500% growth in 20 years.
  • Imports during the same time-frame reached 3.17b from $780m in 2025.
Though Seychelles has one of the lowest numbers of millionaires, it has the highest share of millionaires (0.51% of its adult population)
  • South Africa has the highest number of millionaires in Africa at 41,100.
  • Egypt follows with 14,800 millionaires, making it the second largest hub.
  • Seychelles has the highest millionaire share of the adult population at 0.51%.
  • Mauritius is close behind with 0.45% of its adult population being millionaires.
  • Ethiopia has 2,400 millionaires, but their share is almost zero due to its large adult population.
Nigeria has paid $57.67 billion in external debt interest in 54 years, with payments rising 1,140% since 2009
  • Nigeria spent $57.67B on external debt interest from 1970 to 2023.
  • Payments were low initially but rose steadily as borrowing increased.
  • In the 1990s, interest payments fluctuated due to debt rescheduling and restructuring agreements.
  • In 2005, payments jumped to $5.31B following a strategic debt buyback that accelerated obligations.
  • Annual payments climbed 1,139.6%, from $0.31B to $3.79B, showing rising debt service costs.
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