CABRI Policy Dialogue on Sustainable Debt and Climate in Africa - Day 1

CABRI held a Policy Dialogue in member country Mauritius from 25-27 March 2026 on the theme : Pathways to a Resilient Africa : Innovative Financing Solutions to Tackle Climate and Debt Challenges. The purpose of this CABRI Policy Dialogue was to: Deepen understanding of the debt climate nexus in Africa and its implications for how governments can manage public finances effectively and sustainably. Explore the financing instruments and policy levers available to ministries of Finance to advance climate action within tight budgetary constraints and high debt levels. Identify the core functions and institutional capabilities that ministries of Finance must strengthen to lead and coordinate climate action across government. Provide a platform for government officials to exchange experiences, lessons learned, and emerging good practices in integrating climate considerations into public financial management. Recap of Day 1 sessions and engagements. CHAPTERS: 0:00 Opening remarks by Dr Kay Brown, Executive Secretary, CABRI and Ms Alilali Nelufule, Head of Sustainable Debt programme, CABRI 0:16:06 Setting the scene : Stemming the tide: Africa’s debt sustainability in times of multiple crises by Dr Nicolas Friederici, Economist - OECD Development Centre, EMEA Africa Unit 1:31:10 The role of Ministry of Finance in managing the climate crisis - Integrating disaster risks into macroeconomic assessments and fiscal planning by Mr Adil Kurt-Elli, Managing Partner, 25North Consulting Partners 2:54:30 Keynote address by Ms Nicole Kearse, Head of Sovereign Finance, Africa Legal Support Facility, African Development Bank 3:02:17 The role of Ministry of Finance in managing the climate crisis - Integrating disaster risks into macroeconomic assessments and fiscal planning by Mr Adil Kurt-Elli, Managing Partner, 25North Consulting Partners (contd.) 3:37:53 Innovative Funding Solutions - Infrastructure and Development Finance Bond - ESG Integration in Infrastructure Development Bonds with a presentation by Ms Malerato Phokane, Financial Analyst-Debt Issuance and Management, South Africa National Treasury followed by a panel discussion led by Mr Terry Msomi, Head of Debt Issuance and Management, South Africa National Treasury and Mr Victor Germeshuizen, Head debt Capital Markets, Corporate & Investment Banking, Absa Group Limited 4:09:44 The urgent need to integrate resilience into debt management strategies with a presentation from Mozambique followed by a panel discussion 4:57:38 (Combination of two sessions): Innovative financing solutions - Seychelles Blue Bond (2018) with a presentation by Stephana Hoareau of the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning, Trade & Investment in Seychelles followed by a panel discussion led by Ms Heidi Barends, Head: Sustainable Finance, Corporate & Investment Banking, Absa Group Limited, Mr Jasper Siegfried, Managing Director, Lion's Head Global Partners and Mr Avinash Ramessur, Expert in Climate and Disaster Risk Financing Innovative Financing solutions -Debt-for-swaps with a presentation by Ms Heidi Barends, Head: Sustainable Finance, Corporate & Investment Banking, Absa Group Limited