🌍 AFRODAD at the Inaugural Borrowers’ Platform Governing Council Meeting During the inaugural meeting of the Borrowers’ Platform Governing Council at the UN Centre in Bangkok, Thailand, on the sidelines of the IMF–World Bank Annual Meetings, Janet Zhou (@jayznotes), AFRODAD’s Executive Director, representing Global South CSOs, underscored a fundamental injustice in the international financial architecture: developing countries face borrowing costs much higher than those of advanced economies, while existing creditor-led debt restructuring mechanisms remain inadequate to deliver timely, fair, and sustainable solutions. She called on the Borrowers’ Platform to advance 3 strategic priorities: 🔹 Strengthen peer learning and collective action to help borrowing countries address the high cost of capital and negotiate from a position of greater strength. 🔹Reform and strengthen national legal frameworks to safeguard borrowing countries’ interests, enhance accountability and promote responsible lending and borrowing. 🔹 Build national capacity to conduct independent Debt Sustainability Analyses (DSAs), enabling countries to assess debt risks and make informed borrowing decisions based on their own development priorities. Reaffirming AFRODAD’s commitment to the Borrowers’ Platform, Janet emphasised the importance of a strong, structured partnership between governments and civil society. The latter must not merely be consulted- its evidence, expertise and lived realities must meaningfully inform the policies and decisions shaping the future of debt governance. #AfricaEconomicJustice #AfricaEconomicJustice #ResistReclaimRiseUp #CancelTheDebt #Bangkok2026

#Wednesday, we start from our Executive Director’s Desk Janet Zhou We quote: “For us to have a common African position is what has been missing… It is not just a document. It’s not a blueprint. It’s a mandate that we have given ourselves as African people, as African citizens, backed by our states, and our institutions.” As Africa advances the Common African Position on Debt, collective ownership, solidarity and a shared voice are central to turning the position into meaningful action. @_AfricanUnion 🎥 Watch the full video⤵️ #CAPonDEBT #AfricaRuleMaker

On #Wednesdays, we first hear from our Executive Director, Janet Zhou (@jayznotes). "I believe this is AFRODAD's moment. After 30 years of holding the line on debt justice, the question before Africa is no longer whether our voice matters, but whether we will use it to write the rules instead of receiving them. To our partners, our movements, and our people: join hands with us, and let us make Africa a rule maker, not a rule taker, in the global financial architecture". #AfricaRuleMaker #AFRODADat30 Watch more: bit.ly/3T3XfCx

🎙️ Did you know? We are running a series of podcast episodes titled "Decolonising Africa's Debt & Reclaiming Her Future," in partnership with @AfricanFutures - unpacking the real drivers behind Africa's debt crises. If you missed the first episode, catch up here: tinyurl.com/ypsuxbtr Here's Episode 2 - featuring Prof. Grieve Chelwa on Zambia's copper history, IMF austerity, and why debt cancellation is reparatory justice, not charity. 🎧 Listen now: bit.ly/4iYr3uF

#AfCoDDIV. Session 2 asks a question that cuts to the core of AfCoDD VI's entire theme: why does the global financial architecture keep absorbing Africa's demands for structural reform into small, incremental technical adjustments that leave the underlying problems untouched? The evidence is stark! At the 4th Financing for Development Conference in Seville in July 2025, the Africa Group's push for a UN Framework Convention on Sovereign Debt was significantly diluted in the final Compromiso de Sevilla, anchoring the process instead around the very institutions- the Paris Club, the IMF & the World Bank- that many argue are responsible for Africa's disproportionate debt burden in the first place. Janet Zhou (@jayznotes), AFRODAD's Executive Director, joins Prof. Jean-Emmanuel Pondi,and a panel of brilliant practitioners to unpack exactly how and why this resistance keeps happening. It's a session on calling out patterns of power, not just policy gaps. #AfricaRuleMaker #CAPonDEBT @TIKenya @TISAKenya @CAID_Kenya @ipf_global @oxfamkenya @OkoaUchumi_KE

🎉 5 Reasons We're Thrilled to Welcome Our New Executive Director, Ms. Janet Zhou (@jayznotes) 1️⃣ She's joining AFRODAD at a defining moment. As we celebrate 30 years of advancing debt justice, accountable governance, and sustainable development across Africa, we're excited to have Janet lead the organisation into its next chapter. 2️⃣ Her leadership is internationally recognised. Janet was named the U.S. State Department's Anti-Corruption Champion (2022), honoured as Director of the Year in Zimbabwe, and recognised among the Top 50 Emerging Women Leaders. What an incredible achievement! 3️⃣ She brings more than 15 years of experience championing economic justice, accountability, and governance across Africa. 4️⃣ She's deeply grounded in her field, combining strong academic credentials with extensive practical leadership experience. 5️⃣ Her vision for AFRODAD is both bold and inspiring. In her own words: "I am here to turn debt advocacy into debt impact that families can feel... Let us make Africa a rule-maker, not a rule-taker, in the global financial architecture." Welcome to AFRODAD, Janet! 🎉 Here's to a new chapter of impact, innovation, and transformative leadership. #AfricaRuleMaker #AFRODADat30