In recent years, the debt situation in many African countries has become increasingly precarious. According to the IMF, over half of low-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa are either in debt distress or at high risk of it. The COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, rising global interest rates, and currency depreciations have all contributed to a sharp deterioration in debt sustainability across the region. In response, several governments have implemented fiscal consolidation measures—often under the guidance of international financial institutions—to stabilize public finances and restore macroeconomic balance. However, these austerity measures frequently involve spending cuts in critical sectors. This raises an important policy question: How does fiscal consolidation programs affect the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in African countries ?

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