The Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Head of Transparency International Nigeria, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), has called for urgent debt cancellation, reform of global financial institutions, and enhanced legislative engagement in financing for development, particularly in Nigeria.
Speaking during the ongoing Financing for Development Conference in Sevilla, Spain, Rafsanjani decried what he described as “illegitimate and dubious debts” burdening African nations and stalling development.
“These debts are unjust,” he said. “Their enforcement continues to stall development, burden future generations, and weaken national sovereignty.”
He argued that many debts incurred by African governments lacked public consent, transparency, or accountability, and should therefore be declared odious and cancelled outright.
Rafsanjani backed calls by Christian Aid for the UK government to limit private creditors’ ability to sue sovereign governments in UK courts — a significant issue for Nigeria, where much of its private debt is governed under British law. He also advocated for mandatory private creditor participation in debt restructuring, calling for a UN-backed debt workout mechanism.
Aligning with advocacy from Oxfam and Tax Justice Africa, CISLAC also urged increased concessional financing for poorer countries and the elimination of fossil fuel subsidies, which Rafsanjani said disproportionately harm vulnerable communities already bearing the brunt of climate change.
Central to Rafsanjani’s message was a renewed emphasis on legislative involvement in national financial decisions. He argued that lawmakers in Nigeria and across Africa must be empowered to perform their constitutional roles — including budget approval, loan oversight, and expenditure tracking — with greater assertiveness.
“Legislators must not be sidelined,” he said. “They have the mandate to ensure that public and borrowed funds are used transparently and equitably.”
He called on parliaments to close tax loopholes, fight illicit financial flows, and improve laws on financial integrity — including by enforcing beneficial ownership disclosure and monitoring professional enablers of tax evasion.
Rafsanjani also criticized the dominance of international financial institutions such as the IMF and World Bank by powerful nations, calling for more inclusive global governance.
“We need a global financial system where African voices matter,” he said. “Oversight should not be a formality but a fundamental right.”
He urged African legislative bodies to increase their scrutiny of debt negotiations, prioritize people-centered spending in areas such as climate, education, and health, and work toward transparent debt management frameworks that support long-term development.
As the conference continues with high-level discussions on climate finance, tax justice, and sustainable debt, Rafsanjani urged the Nigerian government to fully coordinate the implementation of the resolutions from Sevilla, with inclusive civil society participation to guarantee meaningful impact.
“We are here in Sevilla to push for a fairer global system, stronger legislative engagement, and sustainable solutions that reflect the will and welfare of our people,” he concluded.
The Nigerian delegation at the conference includes civil society leaders, lawmakers, and officials from Transparency International chapters, led by Maíra Martini, CEO of Transparency International, who is advocating for transparent and accountable debt frameworks across Africa.