High Debt Risk: World Bank Grades Nigeria, Nine Others

World Bank

The World Bank has detailed Nigeria among the top 10 countries with high debt profile risk exposure.

This revelation came to limelight in the financial statement for International Development Association (IDA) which was among the World Bank FY21 audited financial statements released mid-hour on Monday.

According the financial statement, International Development Association (IDA) is facing two types of credit risk: “country credit risk and counterparty credit risk.

“Country credit risk is the risk of loss due to a country not meeting its contractual obligations; and counterparty credit risk is the risk of loss attributable to a counterparty not honoring its contractual obligations.

“IDA is exposed to commercial as well as noncommercial counterparty credit risk.”

It further stated, “As of June 30, 2021, the 10 countries with the highest exposures accounted for 66 per cent of IDA’s total exposure.”

RELATED ARTICLE Debt Profile: Nigeria’s Debt To Hit N48 Trillion By 2024

Nigeria was appraised fifth on the list with $11.7bn IDA debt stock, while India led the list with $22bn IDA debt stock, followed by Bangladesh with $18.1bn IDA debt stock, Pakistan with $16.4bn IDA debt stock, and Vietnam with $14.1bn IDA debt stock.

Other countries on the list in order of appearance included Ethiopia with $11.2bn IDA debt stock, Kenya with $10.2bn IDA debt stock, Tanzania with $8.3bn IDA debt stock, Ghana with $5.6bn IDA debt stock, and Uganda with $4.4bn IDA debt stock.

It added that there was a Single Borrower Limit for IDA, which for FY22, had been set at $45bn (25 per cent of $180.9bn of equity as of June 30, 2021).

It was further discovered that Nigeria’s undisbursed balance with the World Bank is about $8.656bn as at June 30, 2021.