Sub-Saharan African countries have taken on more debt since the global financial crisis to fund their policies, leading to higher debt levels and increased risk. The type of debt has shifted from concessional to private and bilateral creditors, raising concerns about debt distress. To address this, countries need to build up financial reserves, implement smart fiscal policies, and boost public investment efficiency. By managing their balance sheets better and focusing on growth-enhancing reforms, countries can reduce the risk of debt problems in the future.