Kenya’s faith leaders and social justice advocates gathered in Nairobi today for the launch of the Jubilee 2025 Debt Cancellation Campaign, an initiative aimed at addressing Africa’s growing debt crisis.
Organized by AMECEA, the Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network Africa (JENA), Caritas Africa, and the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), the campaign builds on the momentum of past efforts, particularly the successful Jubilee 2000 movement, which secured over 100 billion dollars in debt relief for some of the world’s poorest nations.
The event highlighted the Catholic Church’s ongoing commitment to economic justice, inspired by Pope Francis’s call for a Jubilee Year under the theme Pilgrims of Hope. Church leaders emphasized that unjust debt is more than just an economic issue—it is a moral crisis that undermines human dignity and development.
Bishop Charles Sampa Kasonde, chairman of AMECEA, expressed the vision behind the campaign, stating that the goal is to see Africa freed from the constraints of unjust debt, operating within a fair and ethical global financial system. He stressed the importance of good governance and responsible leadership in ensuring sustainable development across the continent.
The urgency of the campaign is underscored by the growing debt burden on African nations, with over 22 countries currently in debt distress or at high risk. The economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with global financial shocks, has worsened the situation, leaving many governments struggling to provide basic services while meeting their debt obligations.
Fr. Charles Chilufya, director of JENA, emphasized that debt cancellation is not just about economic relief but about justice and human dignity. He pointed out that unsustainable debt traps millions in poverty and prevents nations from investing in essential services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure. Inspired by Pope Francis’s vision, the Church is calling on international lenders and policymakers to create a more just and compassionate financial system.
The campaign’s strategy focuses on three key areas: advocating for the cancellation of unjust debts, pushing for reforms in the global financial system to promote fairness and accountability, and raising public awareness through education, media engagement, and grassroots mobilization.
In the lead-up to the launch, a media workshop brought together journalists and editors from major media houses, equipping them with expert insights and data on Africa’s debt crisis. Organizers hope that by strengthening media coverage on the issue, the campaign will gain broader public support and drive real policy change.
As Jubilee 2025 gains momentum, faith leaders are urging governments, international financial institutions, and civil society to take urgent action. They believe that just as the Jubilee 2000 movement proved that global solidarity can lead to transformative change, this new campaign has the potential to secure meaningful relief for millions across Africa.
