Africa’s debt crisis is no longer just about economics — it’s about power, sovereignty, and the politics of influence.
In this episode of Panel 54, economist Kevin Kigima Ng’ang’a joins Waweru Njoroge and Ndu Okoh to unpack China’s “debt trap” and what it really means for the continent’s independence and future growth.
From Zambia’s default to Kenya’s SGR repayments, Kevin separates myth from reality — showing how Chinese loans, often commercial and asset-backed, differ from Western debt tied to governance and politics. The conversation explores how borrowing, negotiation, and leadership choices shape Africa’s ability to grow without surrendering control.
Can Africa use debt as a tool for progress instead of dependence? Can it play East and West in a multipolar world while protecting its sovereignty?
Lagos to Lamu. Cape Town to Cairo. A global perspective through an African lens.

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