UNDP launches e-course on sovereign credit ratings for African government officials

New York, 25 March 2026 - The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the UN System Staff College (UNSSC), today launched a specialized E-Course on Sovereign Credit Ratings and Development designed to equip African government officials with practical tools to better engage with credit rating agencies and influence rating outcomes.

Delivered under UNDP's Africa Credit Ratings Initiative and hosted on the UNSSC learning platform - UN Learn, the course offers a hands-on, policy-focused introduction to sovereign credit ratings. It covers agency methodologies, assessment criteria, and the key economic and institutional factors that shape rating decisions.

Targeted at officials from ministries of finance, central banks, debt management offices, statistical agencies, the course also draws on experiences from countries that have successfully improved their ratings, to unpack what drives rating upgrades and downgrades, and how these shifts impact national development strategies.

"Sovereign credit ratings are not just technical assessments: they shape a country's economic future. Too often, African countries pay more to borrow, not because of weaker systems, but because of how risk is (mis)understood. This course is about shifting that dynamic and equipping governments to engage with confidence, communicate their full economic reality, and, ultimately, turn better ratings into real investments in people and progress," said Ahunna Eziakonwa, UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa Director.

Sovereign credit ratings determine how countries access international capital markets and how much fiscal space they have to invest in their people and future. Findings by UNDP show that higher borrowing costs driven by credit ratings directly reduce resources available for healthcare, education, infrastructure, and climate action. By improving their understanding of sovereign credit ratings and strengthening their engagement with rating agencies, countries can better position themselves to reduce borrowing costs and redirect savings toward critical development priorities.

"UNSSC is pleased to partner with UNDP in strengthening the institutional capacities that shape countries' financial futures. By coupling UNDP's technical leadership with our best-in-class platforms and expertise in scalable, impactful learning, we aim to empower officials across Africa to engage more confidently in sovereign credit rating processes. This collaboration underscores our shared belief that accessible, high-quality learning can drive more informed decisions and advance stronger development outcomes," said Miguel Panadero, Acting Director of the United Nations System Staff College.

Since its launch in 2024 with support from the Government of Japan, UNDP's Africa Credit Ratings Initiative has trained over 260 officials from 18 African countries through capacity-building workshops organized at the regional and national level. In parallel, in-country advisory support from senior experts has facilitated government-led inter-agency coordination mechanisms to strengthen institutional alignment and adopt more strategic approaches to engaging with rating agencies. A growing community of practice connects officials and experts across Africa.

Course Information

Cohort 1 enrollment: Open now through 12 April 2026
Duration: 13 April - 22 May 2026
Format: Self-paced online modules with live sessions
To register: Course application form

About UNDP

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow @UNDP.

About UNSSC

The United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC) is the UN's trusted interagency learning partner, delivering innovative, scalable, and cost-efficient solutions that support transformative change. Established in 2002 and headquartered in Turin, Italy, with an office in Bonn, Germany, UNSSC delivers cutting-edge learning solutions, advisory support, and change facilitation to foster a shared UN organizational culture.

UNDP Media Contact:

Eve Sabbagh

Strategic Communications Specialist

UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa

New York

[email protected]

UNSSC Media Contact:

Peter Serenyi

Team Lead, Communications and Outreach

United Nations System Staff College

Viale Maestri del Lavoro 10

10127 Torino, Italy

[email protected]

+39 348 305 0910