Fitch assigns Ghana’s new dollar bonds at CCC+
Fitch Ratings has assigned Ghana’s new US dollar bonds, issued on 9 October 2024, a ‘CCC+’ rating.
Fitch also has upgraded Ghana’s Long-Term Local-Currency (LTLC) Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘CCC+’ from ‘CCC’.
Fitch has affirmed Ghana’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency (LTFC) IDR at ‘RD’. Fitch typically does not assign Outlooks to IDRs of sovereigns with a rating of ‘CCC+’ or below.
Fitch has also affirmed the ‘CC’ rating on Ghana’s US dollar-denominated notes partially guaranteed by the International Development Association (IDA), part of the World Bank Group, due October 2030, and subsequently withdrawn the rating.
The issue rating for the IDA-partially guaranteed note maturing in 2030 has been withdrawn as the note will no longer exist because of its restructuring.
Eurobond Exchange Concluded
Ghana has successfully concluded a debt exchange for its 15 outstanding non-performing Eurobonds, including the IDA-partially guaranteed notes. This follows consent reached on 98.58% of the total outstanding amount, and each series has received consent representing more than 92% of the outstanding principal, meeting the respective collective action clause thresholds.
As a result, the 15 Eurobonds have been exchanged for five new bonds and distribution to eligible holders was completed on 10 October 2024. The assignment of a ‘CCC+’ rating to these five bonds reflects our assessment of Ghana’s expected credit profile after completion of the whole debt restructuring, with a declining debt supported by ongoing fiscal consolidation and elevated liquidity risks with interest spending relative to revenue which is still high.
Significant Reduction in Terms
In exchange for the 15 outstanding Eurobonds with a total face value of USD13.1 billion, investors were offered a set of new bonds, with two options. Under the ‘disco’ option, a nominal haircut of 37% applies on all claims, which then is restructured into two new notes – a step-up coupon amortising note due 2029 and a step-up coupon amortising note due 2035. The step-up coupon rates range from 5% to 6%.
Under the ‘par’ option there is no nominal haircut but claims are restructured to a 1.5% amortising note due 2037. Both the ‘disco’ option and ‘par’ option receive a zero-coupon amortising note due 2026 and a zero-coupon note due 2030 in exchange of past-due interests. The restructuring does not provide for value-recovery instruments. Tenders representing a total of USD994.8 million opted for the par option (below the cap of USD1.6 billion).
Substantial Debt Relief
The Eurobond exchange entails a reduction in Ghana’s FC debt stock (including PDIs) of around 6% of estimated 2024 GDP. FC debt service is reduced by USD3.5 billion over 2024-2026. Interest payments are reduced by 1.3% of GDP in 2024, 0.9% in 2025 and 0.6% in 2026 compared with interest payments due under the original terms of the bonds. These estimates do not factor in the cost of rolling over bonds (at increased coupon rates, given market conditions) that would have matured in 2023-2026, implying larger actual debt relief.
Declining Debt
Assuming similar treatment of FC commercial debt that still needs to be restructured, the debt stock reduction would reach 7% of estimated 2024 GDP. This, combined with a strong medium-term growth forecast and ongoing fiscal consolidation, will contribute to a decline in central government’s debt, to 70% of GDP in 2024 and 68% in 2025 and 2026, from 77% of GDP in 2023.
Official Treatment Adds to Relief
The Eurobond treatment was designed to be comparable in scale (although likely different in terms of parameters of present value reduction, debt-service reduction over the IMF programme period, and duration) to the official sector treatment, for which terms of the June 2024 memorandum of understanding have not been disclosed. Incorporating the official treatment would entail a further reduction of the debt-service burden.
Remaining FC Debt in Default
The affirmation of LTFC IDR at ‘RD’ reflects Ghana remaining in default on some of its external commercial debt, pending a restructuring. The Eurobond exchange covenants contain a most-favoured creditor clause that restricts the country from restructuring debt with its remaining creditors on more favourable terms (on a present value basis) without offering consideration of equivalent value to noteholders. We estimate Ghana will complete its external debt restructuring by early 2025.
LTLC IDR Upgraded
The upgrade of Ghana’s LTLC IDR to ‘CCC+’ reflects our increased confidence that the likelihood of another default on Ghana’s LC debt is being reduced with the completion of the Eurobond restructuring, as this further unlocks access to concessional international finance. On 4 October 2024, Ghana and the IMF reached a staff-level agreement on the third review of the extended credit facility, unlocking USD360 million once approved by the IMF board.