Catholic Church organisations' officials hold a banner during the Jubilee 2025 Debt Cancellation Campaign in a Nairobi hotel on February 12, 2025/ GEORGE OWITI
The Catholic Church has called for debt cancelation in Africa and global financial reform in all countries it has a presence in.
Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA), the Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network Africa (JENA) in collaboration with Caritas Africa, and the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) launched the Jubilee 2025 Debt Cancellation campaign.
The church said the bold initiative, inspired by Pope Francis’s call for a Jubilee Year, seeks to mobilize action across Africa for the cancellation of unjust debts and as well advocate for reforms in the global financial architecture.
The campaign is rooted in the Catholic Church’s enduring commitment to social justice, drawing from the theological foundations of the Jubilee Year as a time of renewal, hope and liberation.
The 2025 theme, “Pilgrims of Hope,” underscores a global call for economic justice, equity, and protection of the most vulnerable communities.
“Our vision for Jubilee 2025 is to see Africa liberated from the constraints of unjust debt, thriving within a fair global financial system, and strengthened by ethical leadership and robust governance,” AMECEA chairman Bishop Charles Kasonde said.
The Jubilee 2025 Debt cancellation campaign was launched at a Nairobi hotel on February 12, 2025.
JENA director Fr. Charles Chilufya said debt isn’t just an economic issue but a moral one.
“The burden of unjust debt undermines the dignity of millions, stifles development, and traps nations in cycles of poverty. The church, guided by Pope Francis’s vision, stands in solidarity with those affected, advocating for a more just and compassionate financial system,” Chilufya said.
The Jubilee 2025 Africa Campaign builds on the historic success of the Jubilee 2000 Campaign, a global movement spearheaded by faith-based organisations, including the Catholic Church.
That campaign achieved significant victories, resulting in more $100 billion in debt relief for some of the world’s poorest countries including Uganda, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
The debt cancellation, according to the church, enabled countries to invest in critical sectors such as health, education, and infrastructure, dramatically improving the lives of millions.
"Jubilee 2000 showed us the power of global solidarity. It was proof that when faith communities, civil society, and governments unite, transformative change is possible," Jesuit Hakimani Center director Fr. Kayanda said.
"Now, as we face new debt crises, especially in Africa, Jubilee 2025 seeks to reignite that spirit of hope and action,” he said.
There is a crisis in Africa’s growing debt crisis. The continent is at a critical crossroads as matters debt is concerned.
According to recent data, over 22 African countries are either in debt distress or at high risk.
The COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with global economic shocks, has exacerbated the situation, leaving nations struggling to meet basic needs while servicing unsustainable debts.
The Jubilee 2025 Debt Cancellation Campaign highlights how these debts, often incurred under unfair conditions, perpetuate inequality and hinder sustainable development.
The church has called for action.
Through advocacy, community mobilisation, and partnerships with civil society and governments, the Catholic Church and its partners aim to; secure the cancellation of unjust debts that undermine human dignity and development, promote reforms in the global financial system to ensure fairness, accountability, and sustainability, and raise awareness about the moral and ethical dimensions of debt through education, media engagement, and grassroots campaigns.
The Jubilee 2025 Debt Cancellation Campaign launch was preceded by a media workshop that brought together journalists and editors from leading media houses.
The workshop aimed to equip media professionals with expert insights, actionable data, and exclusive stories to drive impactful, solution-oriented reporting on Africa's debt crisis.
Jubilee 2025 is a coalition dedicated to freeing Africa from unjust debt and advancing economic justice. By advocating for debt relief, policy reform, and fair financial structures, the coalition seeks to empower African nations to invest in healthcare, education, and sustainable development.
Through global partnerships and grassroots mobilization, Jubilee 2025 drives systematic change for a debt-free future.