International ratings agency, FitchRatings, has upgraded Ghana’s Long-Term (LT) Local-Currency (LC) Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘CCC’ from ‘RD’.
The upgrade of the ratings on Ghana’s LC denominated debt follows the completion of the debt exchange programme by Ghana in February 2023.
Fitch, however, viewed this transaction as a distressed debt exchange in a context of heightened fiscal pressures, with interest costs amounting to 54% of revenues in half-year 2022, and lack of access to international capital markets.
Two principal payments on bonds issued prior to the domestic debt exchange were due on February 6, 2023 and February 20, 2023.
These payments, which remained due to holders who were either ineligible for the domestic debt exchange or who opted out of the domestic debt exchange, were made on March 13, 2023.
Fitch said “the upgrade of Ghana’s LTLC IDR follows this resumption in payments on LC bonds that cures the default on LC debt”.
Enhanced Liquidity
Fitch estimates that the domestic debt exchange allows Ghana to reduce its interest payments in 2023 by around 10% of expected revenues, or 1.6% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“Gross financing needs this year have been reduced by 5% of 2023 GDP. In 2024, interest payments would be lowered by 6% of revenues, or 0.9% of GDP”.
According to Fitch’s forecasts, the domestic debt restructuring together with the suspension of external debt service, significantly reduces Ghana’s cash fiscal deficit in 2023 to 4.5% of GDP in 2023.