Catholic Church Launches Jubilee 2025 Debt Relief Campaign in Nairobi, Kenya.

The Catholic Church has launched the Jubilee 2025 Debt Relief Campaign, calling for immediate global financial reforms to alleviate the debt burden of African nations. The launch event at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Nairobi brought together faith leaders, economists and advocates to champion the cause.

Spearheaded by the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA), the campaign seeks to cancel unjust debt and create a fairer global financial system. Inspired by Pope Francis’ proclamation of a Jubilee Year, the initiative aims to end economic oppression and renew hope for millions.

Bishop Charles Sampa Kasonde, chair of AMECEA, emphasized the moral imperative of addressing the debt crisis. “Debt is not just an economic issue, it is a moral one. The burden of unsustainable debt stifles development, limits investment in health and education, and traps nations in poverty,” he said.

Kenya illustrates the gravity of the problem. The country’s public debt has surpassed $80 billion, representing more than 70% of its GDP. By 2025, more than 60% of government revenue is projected to go to debt service, leaving minimal funds for development. This financial strain has left hospitals struggling, education budgets slashed, and citizens grappling with rising inflation.

“This is not just a financial crisis; it is a crisis of human dignity,” Bishop Kasonde emphasized, calling for immediate debt restructuring, fairer loan terms, and improved domestic revenue strategies to alleviate the burden.

The debt crisis goes beyond Kenya. Africa’s total external debt has exceeded $1 trillion, driven by high-interest loans, volatile commodity prices, and economic shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 22 African countries are either in debt distress or at high risk of debt distress, forcing governments to prioritize debt repayment over other priorities.

Fr. Charles Chilufya, S.J., Director of the Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network Africa (JENA), stressed the urgency of action. “We must act now to prevent another lost generation. History has shown that debt relief can transform lives. The Jubilee 2000 campaign secured over $100 billion in debt cancellation, allowing many African nations to rebuild. It’s time to do it again.”

The Jubilee 2025 Campaign advocates for systemic reform, promoting responsible borrowing and lending, ethical financial practices, and global policies that prioritize human dignity over profit. Through advocacy, community engagement, and partnerships with civil society, the Catholic Church and its allies aim to secure debt relief for struggling nations, reform the global financial system to ensure fairness and sustainability, and raise awareness about the moral and ethical dimensions of debt.

The campaign’s theme, “Pilgrims of Hope,” reflects a vision for an Africa free from economic constraints, thriving under ethical leadership, and empowered for a sustainable future.

“We cannot remain silent while millions suffer,” Fr. Chilufya declared. “This is a moral fight, a fight for justice. We call on world leaders, lenders, and policymakers to listen to act to set Africa free.”