Kenya’s National Treasury has reduced its domestic borrowing goal by Ksh 172 billion ($1.12 billion). According to Business Insider Africa, net foreign financing has been subsequently raised to Ksh 449 billion ($3.1 billion) from Ksh 131 billion ($890.6 million).
This is a positive development, as it will help to reduce the government's debt burden and ease pressure on domestic interest rates. The Apex bank had anticipated that the reduction in local borrowing would lead to a downward adjustment in interest rates on government securities.
There are few reasons why the Kenyan National Treasury is reducing its domestic borrowing target. First, the Kenyan government has been under pressure to reduce its borrowing in recent years, as its debt-to-GDP ratio has risen to over 70%. This has raised concerns about the country's sustainability and made it more difficult for the private sector to access credit. Reducing domestic borrowing will help to slow the growth of the government's debt and make it more manageable.
Second, the Kenyan government wants to ease pressure on domestic interest rates. Indeed, When the government borrows money domestically, it competes with the private sector for credit. This can drive up interest rates, making it more expensive for businesses and consumers to borrow money. Reducing domestic borrowing will help to lower interest rates and boost economic activity.
Third, the Kenyan government wants to attract foreign financing. Kenya is increasingly looking to foreign lenders to finance its development needs. Reducing domestic borrowing will make Kenya more attractive to foreign lenders, as it will show that the government is committed to fiscal discipline.
In addition to these reasons, the Kenyan government may also be reducing its domestic borrowing target in response to pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The IMF has been urging Kenya to reduce its debt burden and improve its fiscal discipline in order to secure a new loan.
The decision to cut domestic borrowing is a sign that the government is taking these concerns seriously. It is also a good sign for the Kenyan economy, as it suggests that the government is confident in its ability to attract foreign financing.
The Central Bank of Kenya has already welcomed the move, saying that it will help to "reset interest rates on government securities downwards." This is good news for businesses and consumers, as it will make it cheaper to borrow money and invest.
While Kenya has faced limited access to international capital markets in recent years, concessional lenders such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have played significant roles as financiers for the government. The lower domestic borrowing target is expected to take pressure off the domestic credit market from which the government would require less internal financing.
Overall, the Kenyan government's decision to reduce its domestic borrowing target is a positive development. It will help to reduce the government's debt burden, ease pressure on domestic interest rates, and boost economic growth.