Angola's Debt Payments to China Double as Loan Freeze Ends, But Falling Trade Deficit Provides Relief
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Angola's interest payments to creditors, mostly Chinese, doubled to $1.57 billion in Q2 2022 as a 3-year debt payment freeze ended.
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The increase was offset by a fall in the trade deficit to a 2-year low of $1.77 billion.
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Angola is Africa's biggest recipient of Chinese loans, accounting for over 25% of lending since 2000.
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The debt freeze from Chinese lenders like CDB and ICBC provided relief, but payments resumed as oil prices rose.
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Angola is trying to diversify its economy and rely less on China, but still needs funding for major infrastructure projects.