Faith Leaders and Financial Experts United to Tackle Africa’s Debt Crisis

In a compelling webinar ahead of the G20 South Africa Summit, religious and financial leaders came together to explore faith-based solutions to Africa’s mounting debt crisis.

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

The G20 Interfaith Forum (IF20) recently hosted a significant session in its “Faith in Action: Reflections” webinar series, focusing on the theme “Economic and Financial Action: Faith Perspectives on Economic Justice.” Held on Thursday, July 17, the virtual event brought together influential voices from religion and finance to examine sustainable pathways for addressing Africa’s escalating debt burden.

“Africa, and specifically South Africa, has a great debt crisis that needed the attention of the religious community to work with governments to help find solutions,” said Dr. Maniraj Sukdaven, Associate Professor at the University of Pretoria, ahead of the session.

Uniting Voices for Economic Justice

The panel featured diverse experts and thought leaders including:

• Dr. Maniraj Sukdaven – Religion Studies scholar and interfaith dialogue expert at the University of Pretoria.
• Dr. Nontando Hadebe – African feminist theologian and International Coordinator for the Side by Side Interfaith Movement for gender justice.
• Amith Sanjith Singh – Head of Energy Finance at Nedbank CIB, known for pioneering sustainable financing models for Africa’s clean energy future.

The discussion explored belief-rooted frameworks for economic justice, the Jubilee 2025 initiative, and the vital role of religious institutions in shaping debt relief strategies and fiscal policy reform.

Participants also highlighted how spiritual and moral leadership could complement governmental and financial interventions to support sustainable development across the continent.

Faith as a Catalyst for Change

The session underscored the belief that economic justice is not only a policy issue but also a moral calling. With many African nations grappling with unsustainable debt, the forum emphasized the need for faith communities to advocate for transparency, equity, and human dignity in economic systems.

The webinar, hosted by Sandile Makasi and Yashika Singh, was part of a broader five-week series designed to spotlight the contributions of the communities to the G20’s themes of Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability.

About the G20 Interfaith Forum (IF20)

The G20 Interfaith Forum is a global platform connecting religious leaders and policymakers to inform and influence the G20 agenda. It harnesses the strength of spiritual values, ethical leadership, and community mobilization to support global development and justice.

About the G20

The G20 comprises the world’s leading economies, accounting for 80% of global GDP, two-thirds of the global population, and 75% of international trade. The forum plays a central role in shaping global economic governance, increasingly focusing on inclusive and sustainable growth.