Africa set to get debt relief from China

China's President Xi Jinping at a past event in Beijing. FILE PHOTO | WANG ZHAO | AFP

Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged to cancel interest-free debt owed by “relevant” African countries as part of Beijing’s move to help the continent during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a speech to a group of African leaders Wednesday, Mr Xi indicated that he will work with other international lenders to cushion African countries most affected by the novel coronavirus to enable them ride out the crisis.