Why AfDB warns Zimbabwe’s new law stands in way of debt relief

AfDB president Akinwumi Adesina.

Photo credit: Reuters

The African Development Bank (AfDB) says a new law introduced by Zimbabwe to curb civil society activities is a major setback to the southern African country’s push for urgent debt relief.

Zimbabwe owes foreign creditors $21 billion, with arrears making up a significant portion of the debt overhang and preventing the country from accessing low-cost loans from institutions like the World Bank and AfDB.