While many other African nations face a high debt burden, Algeria's already low debt keeps falling to a projected 0.09% in 2025

  • Algeria’s debt service per GDP dropped from 0.77% in 2009 to a projected 0.09% in 2025.
  • The country’s debt service per GDP declined at a -11.9% CAGR from 2009–2025.
  • A high of 0.73% occurred in 2012 before the consistent decline resumed.
  • By 2015, the country's debt service fell to 0.27%, showing progress in reduction.
  • The lowest point is forecast for 2025, at 0.09% of GDP.
  • Algeria’s debt burden is among the lowest in Africa, contrasting with the rising trend in many other nations.
  • This low debt service level allows for greater fiscal flexibility in public spending and investment.

Algeria has maintained one of the lowest debt service-to-GDP ratios in Africa over the past decade and a half, and this trend is projected to continue. From 0.77% in 2009, the figure declined to just 0.10% in 2024 and is forecast to reach 0.09% by 2025. This represents a compound annual decline rate of -11.9% between 2009 and 2025 — a stark contrast to many other African economies that are struggling with rising debt burdens.

The decline has been consistent, with only brief fluctuations, such as a slight rise to 0.73% in 2012 before continuing its downward trajectory. Algeria’s ability to keep debt service low means it can direct more of its resources toward domestic investment, infrastructure, and social programmes rather than repayments. This sustained reduction is particularly notable, given the continent-wide challenge of escalating debt servicing costs.

Source:

World Bank - IDS

Period:

2009-2025
HTML code to embed chart
Want a bespoke report?
Reach out
Tags
Related Insights

South Africa and Egypt accounted for a third of Africa’s estimated $1.93tn government debt in 2025
  • Government debt across 51 African countries was estimated at $1.93 trillion in 2025.
  • South Africa and Egypt had the largest estimated stocks and jointly accounted for 33.8% of the total.
  • Sudan had the highest debt-to-GDP ratio at 187.6%, followed by Senegal at 130.2%.
  • The estimates use IMF debt ratios and current-dollar GDP, not national authorities’ reported debt stocks.
  • Differences in government coverage, instruments and valuation mean the figures are comparable estimates, not fully harmonised official data.

Nigeria’s external debt service crossed $5bn in 2025 after payments in 2018–2025 dwarfed the previous decade
  • Nigeria’s external debt service entered a heavier phase in 2018.
  • External debt service crossed $5bn in 2025.
  • Nigeria paid about $22.2bn from 2018 to 2025.
  • That was about 6x the $3.7bn paid from 2008 to 2017.
  • The 2006 spike reflects one-off debt settlement payments.

Three African countries are projected to have debt exceeding their GDP in 2026
  • Sudan is projected to have Africa’s highest debt-to-GDP ratio in 2026, at 169.1%.
  • Only three African countries are projected to owe more than the size of their economies in 2026.
  • Senegal and Mozambique join Sudan among countries with debt-to-GDP ratios above 100%.
  • Africa’s average government debt-to-GDP ratio is projected at 60.7% in 2026.
  • Nigeria’s projected debt-to-GDP ratio of 32.3% is far below the African average.

Mauritius has the strongest productive capacity in Africa — ahead of Seychelles and South Africa
  • Mauritius leads Africa on the Productive Capacities Index with a score of 55.02, ranking 56th globally.
  • Seychelles, South Africa, and Cape Verde complete Africa’s top four, but none enters the global top 50.
  • Nigeria ranks much lower at 167th globally, with a score of 30.68, despite being one of Africa’s largest economies.
  • The ranking shows that economic size does not always translate into stronger productive foundations like human capital, ICT, energy, transport, and institutions.

Two-thirds of IDA’s commitments in one year went to Africa, led by Nigeria’s $3.1bn
  • Africa received 66% of IDA’s FY2025 commitments.
  • Africa’s total IDA allocation was $22.4 billion out of $33.8 billion.
  • Nigeria was the largest borrower from the DA globally, with $3.1 billion in loans.
  • Bangladesh ranked second with $3 billion.
  • Six of the top ten borrowers were African countries.
  • Nigeria accounted for 9.3% of total FY2025 IDA commitments.

Oyo has reduced external debt by 36% and domestic debt by 22% under Makinde
  • Oyo reduced external and domestic debt by the end of 2025.
  • External debt fell faster than domestic debt.
  • External debt declined more consistently over the period.
  • Oyo’s local debt peaked around 2022–2023 before falling back.
  • The state appears to have prioritised reducing FX exposure.

POPULAR TOPICS
SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
Get periodic updates about the African startup space, access to our reports, among others.
Subscribe Here
Subscription Form

A product of Techpoint Africa. All rights reserved