Treasury to Issue Two New Eurobonds
The Treasury has announced plans to float two new Eurobonds over the next six months.
These are to finance the budget and repay part of the maiden sovereign bond borrowed in 2014.
The Treasury told the International Monetary Fund (IMF) it plans to float an issue before the end of this month.
This is as part of the external component of budget financing for the current fiscal year, and another one by June 2022.
It is also towards refinancing the 10-year, $2 billion (Sh226 billion) bonds sold in 2014.
IMF Review
The IMF indicates that Kenya will borrow $2.19 billion (Sh247 billion) through the two commercial loans.
The IMF made the revelation in its review of government accounts.
This led to the release of the additional Sh29 billion under the 38-month program.
“Our plans going forward include: By end-December 2021, subject to favorable market conditions, authorities will issue a Eurobond to provide financing for the 2021/2022 budget. This financing was previously programmed for early 2022,” said the IMF.
“By end-June 2022, subject to favorable market conditions, issue a Eurobond to repay in full or in part the bond maturing in 2024 as part of a debt management operation.”
Kenya is hoping to speed up the Eurobond program to get a favorable appetite.
The IMF has also revealed that Kenya will be doing away with the Sh9 trillion debt ceiling set two years ago.
This is as the country’s current debt stock of Sh7.7 trillion is poised to shoot past the target.
Treasury Debt Ceiling
The Treasury has submitted a proposal for amendment of the Public Finance Management law on the debt ceiling to the Attorney-General and Parliament in November 2021.
The new debt anchor will be set at 55 percent of gross domestic product (GDP).
Debt is measured in present value terms and an accountability requirement that mandates transparent communication to Parliament and the public.
This is on plans and progress towards achieving the debt anchor within a specific timeframe.
Kenya has changed debt sustainability models over the last 10 years according to Business Daily.
The change is from a ceiling in 2014 to a percentage of the economy in 2015.
