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Sovereign bond issues: Do African countries pay more to borrow?

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Listed:
  • Michael Olabisi

    (Graziadio School of Business
    University of Michigan)

  • Howard Stein

    (University of Michigan)

Abstract

There is a new wave of external borrowing by African governments on private sovereign bond markets. The findings in this paper indicate that African economies pay higher-than-normal coupon rates on these markets; observed risk measures like agency ratings and debt to GDP ratios do not explain the deviation from the norm. We also find that countries in better financial standing tend to self-select into the private markets, such that their risk profiles cannot explain the high coupon rates. Further research steps and policy implications are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Olabisi & Howard Stein, 2015. "Sovereign bond issues: Do African countries pay more to borrow?," Journal of African Trade, Springer, vol. 2(1), pages 87-109, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jouafr:v:2:y:2015:i:1:d:10.1016_j.joat.2015.08.003
    DOI: 10.1016/j.joat.2015.08.003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Kalu O. Emenike, 2023. "Response of Africa to global sovereign bond volatility spillover," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 3(11), pages 1-15, November.
    2. Olabisi, Michael & Olabisi, Laura Schmitt & Richardson, Robert B., 2025. "Renewable energy finance in Africa as a global leverage point," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 210(C).

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