This study looks at the heterogeneous experiences within the African continent and the detailed dynamics that have driven changes in public debt since the global financial crisis in 2008/09. The paper also explores how African states have developed and implemented legal frameworks for public debt management, in order to draw conclusions about the quality of their debt management governance practices, and their effectiveness in encouraging prudent borrowing and sustainable debt. However, the study finds that some African countries debt management practices are not aligned to international best practice. To better govern debt and ensure debt sustainability in Africa, the study puts forwards several recommendations with national and continental implications. Among the many, one would be the establishment of an African Debt Observatory as a continental organ, to collect, analyze and exchange data across an interconnected system, linking African countries to improve debt management policies and frameworks.