Commission Strengthens Capacity on Credit Ratings, Development Finance

The UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has launched a specialised training to strengthen UN economists’ capacity on sovereign credit ratings and development finance.
This was contained in a statement released by the ECA in Abuja.
“The training, organised in collaboration with the UN Development Coordination Office (DCO), focuses on sovereign credit ratings for policy and development finance.
“It brings together economists and policy analysts from UN Resident Coordinator Offices globally to deepen their understanding of sovereign credit assessments.
“The programme examines how credit ratings influence countries’ access to finance, borrowing costs, investor confidence and broader development outcomes,” the statement said.
The ECA said sovereign credit ratings had assumed greater importance amid debt vulnerabilities, tightening global financial conditions and persistent external shocks.
It said the training aimed to equip UN economists with practical tools to assess links between sovereign ratings, macroeconomic performance, debt dynamics and development financing.
It would also strengthen UN country teams’ capacity to support evidence-based policy dialogue and provide informed analysis on financing challenges.
“The first session focuses on sovereign ratings, macroeconomic policy, risk pricing and market dynamics, including their implications for debt management and borrowing costs.
“The second session examines factors influencing sovereign credit ratings, including macroeconomic performance, governance, institutional quality, ESG considerations and data transparency.
“The final session addresses regulatory frameworks governing credit rating agencies, debt distress, restructuring processes and strategic engagement with investors and rating agencies.
“The programme also examines the strategic rationale, operational framework and progress toward establishing the African Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA),” it said.
The ECA said the initiative formed part of its efforts to strengthen public finance management, debt sustainability and domestic resource mobilisation across Africa.
It said the training would also support African countries in accessing financing required to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063.