MENA Debt & IFIs: An Interactive Infographic Series
Explore the data-driven stories behind the debt crisis in the Middle East and North Africa. Each section below provides a detailed analysis of the key issues, from country-specific debt profiles to the systemic problems with IMF policies.
by Shady Hassan
MENA Overviews
The IMF's Prescription
Dissects the IMF's policy-based conditions, revealing how moments of national crisis are leveraged to enforce a consistent, one-size-fits-all economic doctrine.
The World Bank's Grip
A critical look at the World Bank's "Prior Actions," uncovering the blueprint of an externally-driven agenda that steers national policymaking.
The Twin Engines of Austerity
A combined analysis showing the overlapping pressure from the IMF and World Bank, which together engineer inequality through neoliberal policies.
External Debt Overviews
A high-level look at the rising external debt, the heavy cost of repayment, and the increasing dependency on International Financial Institutions across the MENA region.
Debt, Deceit, and Dominance
A critical analysis exposing climate injustice, illegitimate surcharges, and the role of IFIs as engines of inequality.
Country & Thematic Deep Dives
Egypt's Debt Profile
A deep dive into Egypt's $153B external debt, its challenging repayment schedule, and the central role of the IMF and other multilateral creditors.
Jordan: Navigating Vulnerability
Analysis of Jordan's precarious balance, with external debt projected to exceed 85% of GDP, and its reliance on international partners to bridge the financing gap.
Morocco's Debt Dilemma
A case study in systemic risk, exploring Morocco's vulnerability to energy shocks and the "illegitimate debt" trap created by IMF surcharge policies.
The Surcharge Burden
Investigating the hidden costs of IMF loans. These penalties divert billions from essential services, creating unjust debt and punishing countries for their vulnerability.
Lebanon & Flawed Calculations
An anatomy of how the IMF's methodology inflated Lebanon's debt-to-GDP ratio to a staggering 950%, and why this flawed number matters for policy and investment.