A rapid build-up of loans has pushed East African countries close to a debt crisis, putting at risk the region's long-term economic stability. Five East African Community member countries have together amassed more than $100 billion domestic and foreign debt, stretching their repayment budgets to the limit. Kenya and Burundi have the highest loan distress profiles relative to their EAC peers, with their debt to gross domestic product (GDP) ratios projected to exceed 60 percent this year. The International Monetary Fund considers a debt to GDP ratio of 50 percent to be within the tolerable limit for developing economies such as the EAC members. "With several countries facing increased foreign exchange and refinancing risks, it is critical to enhancing debt management frameworks and transparency," warned the IMF in its latest Regional Economic Outlook report released a week ago. Kenya's debt-to-GDP ratio is on course to hit 61.6 percent at the end of this year from 60.1 percent last year, while Burundi's ratio is expected to climb to a high of 63.5 percent from 58.4 per in 2018. Rwanda's debt-to-GDP ratio is expected to touch 49.1 percent from 40.7 percent, taking Kigali closer to the 50 percent threshold. The debt-to-GDP ratios for Uganda and Tanzania will increase to 43.6 percent and 37.7 percent from 41.4 percent and 37.3 percent respectively. The surging debt loads of EAC countries have stoked fears over future capacity to meet repayment obligations, with indications that the region is headed into a debt overhang prompted by an increased appetite for quick and expensive loans.