Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) |

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Staff Reach Staff-Level Agreement with the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the Third Review Under the Extended Credit Facility

The Congolese authorities and the IMF team reached staff-level agreement on policies for the completion of the third review under the ECF arrangement

The IMF team reached staff-level agreement on the third review of the authorities’ economic reform program supported by the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement; Despite recurrent external shocks and increasing inflation, the post-covid recovery continues to build momentum, with 2022 growth expected at 6.6 percent; Amidst high uncertainty, prudent policies…

Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) |

IMF Executive Board Concludes 2021 Article IV Consultation with Nigeria

The Nigerian economy is recovering from a historic downturn benefitting from government policy support

On January 31, 2022, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation [1] with Nigeria. The Nigerian economy is recovering from a historic downturn benefitting from government policy support, rising oil prices and international financial assistance. Nigeria exited the recession in 2020Q4 and output…

Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) |

IMF Executive Board Concludes Annual Discussions on CEMAC Common Policies, and Common Policies in Support of Member Countries Reform Programs

CEMAC experienced a smaller-than-anticipated economic contraction in 2020, as non-oil activity recovered in late 2020, supported by the relaxation of containment measures and stronger fiscal stimulus

IMF Executive Board Concludes Annual Discussions on CEMAC Common Policies, and Common Policies in Support of Member Countries Reform Programs. The almost two-years pandemic-related crisis has left CEMAC with a fragile external position. A tighter policy stance, high oil prices, and Heads of States renewed commitments to accelerate structural, transparency…

Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) |

Coronavirus - Senegal: International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board Completes First Review Under the Policy Coordination Instrument for Senegal

The COVID-19 pandemic is taking a heavy toll on Senegal’s economy

The COVID-19 pandemic is taking a heavy toll on the economy with growth projected at 1.1 percent in 2020 compared to 5.3 percent in 2019; The authorities have taken significant actions to contain the pandemic and mitigate its economic fallout, supported by additional financing from Senegal's development partners and participation…

Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) |

Coronavirus - São Tomé and Príncipe: International Monetary Fund (IMF) Staff Completes a Virtual Extended Credit Facility First Review Mission for São Tomé and Príncipe

The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to cause the economy to contract sharply by 6.5 percent this year

The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to cause a sharp real economic contraction of 6.5 percent in 2020 and raise large health and social needs; Program performance under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) had a good start, but progress has been hampered by the pandemic and some policy slippages prior to…

Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) |

Coronavirus - Benin: International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board Approves a US$125 Million Disbursement Under Benin’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF)-Supported Arrangement

The authorities are implementing a response plan that will raise significantly health spending and provide support to vulnerable households and impacted businesses

The Executive Board decision allows an immediate disbursement of US$125.1 million to Benin to address the urgent financing needs stemming spread of COVID-19 and to mitigate its economic and social impacts; The authorities are implementing a response plan that will raise significantly health spending and provide support to vulnerable households…

Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) |

Coronavirus - Djibouti: IMF Executive Board Approves a US$ 43.4 Million Disbursement to Djibouti Under the Rapid Credit Facility and Debt Relief Under the Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust to Address the COVID-19 Pandemic

IMF support will provide additional resources for the essential health and other emergency spending, including social safety nets

The IMF Executive Board approved a US$ 43.4 million loan to Djibouti to support the authorities’ response to the COVID-19 crisis, as well as debt relief under the CCRT, which will generate additional resources of US$ 2.3 million over the next five months, and potentially up to US$ 8.2 million…

Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) |

Coronavirus - Ivory Coast: International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board approves a US$886.2 million disbursement to Côte d’Ivoire to address the COVID-19 Pandemic

The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to be substantial, with the near-term outlook deteriorating quickly

The IMF approves the disbursement of US$886.2 million to Côte d’Ivoire to be drawn under the Rapid Credit Facility and the Rapid Financing Instrument; the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to be substantial, with the near-term outlook deteriorating quickly; the authorities’ policy response to the pandemic has…

Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) |

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Staff Completes 2020 Article IV Visit to the Kingdom of Lesotho

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff team, led by Joseph Thornton, visited Maseru from January 29 – February 11, 2020

In a context of policy uncertainty, the weak regional environment has depressed growth below the levels needed to reduce poverty and unemployment; High government spending should be refocused on areas that can have the biggest impact on delivering vital services, protecting the vulnerable, and supporting private sector growth; Reforms should…