Settlement of the verified foreign debt will be amortized over an extended period, “with forex-denominated savings bonds” being issued to some of the creditors, the central bank said in its monetary policy statement Monday.
The southern African nation owes foreign entities, including airlines, and fuel and grain suppliers, about $2.6 billion in legacy debt since it dropped the 1:1 peg of its local dollar to the U.S. unit a year ago, but hasn’t been able to meet payment obligations due to the severe shortage of foreign currency.
Another 350 transactions valued at $457 million will be finalized by Feb. 29, the bank said.
Senior government officials have previously said they would ask creditors to take a cut on some of the debt, to save on the much-needed foreign currency.
Foreign debt of $361 million owed by the bank was not included in the amounts, Governor John Mangudya said.