Sub-Saharan Africa
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Western Financial Institutions Hinder Africa's Development, Kenya's Ruto Says

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African leaders have frequently voiced frustration regarding the global financial system ignoring the concerns of emerging nations. For his part, Kenyan President William Ruto has criticized the international credit system as being unfair and unjust since it separates countries between those who are wealthy and others that should "look for help."
The institutions of the Bretton Woods system (IMF, World Bank) only slow down the development of the continent, while Africa needs a new financial institution that reflects its needs, Kenyan President William Ruto announced on Friday while he was addressing the 39th Annual General Meeting of the Trade and Development Bank Group.

"We have to re-position ourselves, re-represent Africa in a different way – a way from the continent that was always provided with all the negative adjectives," the president stated.

According to him, the current Bretton Woods financing system damages the economic growth of the continent due to the accumulation of external debt, and it is necessary to get rid of outdated financial institutions.
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula delivers closing address on the occasion of the BRICS Political Parties Plus Dialogue on July 20, 2023.  - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 20.07.2023
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He also called on African countries to look for alternative economic partners.
Earlier, Ruto proposed creating a "green bank" that would not depend on the World Bank and the IMF to overcome the climate crisis.
Last month, the South African leader Cyril Ramaphosa stated that the both institutions – the IMF and World Bank – must be subjected to a "fundamental overhaul" to take into account the interests of the developing nations. He outlined that the institutions have to become "more inclusive and responsive" so that they would succeed in their mission of enhancing global development.

"These bodies should be restructured to be more inclusive and responsive. They should provide funding in a way that does not increase the debt burden of countries that are already struggling to service their debt," the president stated.

In addition, Ramaphosa stated that the IMF and World Bank should offer funding in a way that doesn't put more debt on the shoulders of some nations. Debates have been sparked by the IMF's loan requirements in a number of African countries.
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