Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) |

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Reaches Staff-Level Agreement with Mali on First Review under Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Arrangement

A team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), led by Boriana Yontcheva, visited Bamako during November 19-29, 2019

Economic growth is expected to reach 5 percent in 2019 and over the medium term, despite the challenging security situation, reflecting some resilience in the economy; The fiscal deficit is expected to meet the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU)’s convergence criteria of 3 percent of GDP in 2019;…

Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) |

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Staff Completes 2019 Article IV and Program Review Mission to Madagascar

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission led by Charalambos Tsangarides, mission chief for Madagascar, visited Antananarivo from November 11 to 25

IMF staff and the authorities reached staff-level agreement for the sixth program review, subject to approval by IMF management and the Executive Board; The implementation of the authorities’ program supported by the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement has remained satisfactory; The authorities’ plan to increase public investment and social spending…

Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) |

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Staff Completes 2019 Article IV Mission to Eswatini

Eswatini’s key challenges are to implement fiscal adjustment measures to reduce the fiscal deficit and stabilize public debt

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team, led by Mr. Geremia Palomba, visited Mbabane during October 23-November 4, 2019 to conduct the 2019 Article IV consultations with Eswatini. At the end of the visit, Mr. Palomba issued the following statement: “In recent years, GDP growth has averaged 2 percent, but fiscal…

Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) |

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board Concludes 2019 Article IV Consultation with Djibouti

The government has in recent years implemented large-scale investments to develop transport and logistics infrastructures

On September 30, 2019, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation [1] with Djibouti. The government has in recent years implemented large-scale investments to develop transport and logistics infrastructures with the aim of positioning Djibouti as a regional trade and logistics hub. Combined with reforms to…

Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) |

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Staff Concludes Visit for the Article IV Consultation and Discussions on the First Review of the Staff-Monitored Program to Zimbabwe

The discussions covered recent economic developments, the near and medium-term outlook, risks to the economy, developments in the financial sector, and the set of economic policies

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission led by Mr. Gene Leon visited Harare from September 5th to 19th to conduct the Article IV Consultation and review progress under the Zimbabwe’s Staff-Monitored Program (SMP). The discussions covered recent economic developments, the near and medium-term outlook, risks to the economy, developments in the…

Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) |

Statement at the End of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) Staff Visit to Malawi

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team led by Pritha Mitra, Mission Chief for Malawi, visited Lilongwe from September 10-17, 2019

Malawi’s recent economic performance has been favorable despite the impact of Cyclone Idai; Economic growth is expected to strengthen to about 4.5 percent in 2019 supported by a rebound in agriculture in most of the country and reconstruction of infrastructure damaged by the cyclone; Inflation is expected to remain in…

Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) |

IMF Reaches Staff-Level Agreement with Mali on a New Economic and Financial Program Supported by the IMF under the Extended Credit Facility

Key objectives of the program include strengthening fiscal discipline and tax revenue mobilization through further revenue administration reforms

The Malian authorities and IMF staff reached a staff-level agreement on a new economic and financial program supported by the Extended Credit Facility (ECF). The new program is aimed at fostering strong and inclusive growth and poverty reduction through investment in infrastructure and social sectors, and stimulating jobs creation, notably…

Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) |

IMF Staff Concludes Program Negotiation Mission to São Tomé and Príncipe

Significant progress was made in the discussions on the economic policies and reforms that could be supported by a new IMF arrangement

São Tomé and Príncipe’s economy is experiencing strong imbalances and slower growth; Reversing large deficit spending of 2018 and implementing comprehensive structural reforms in energy and tourism sectors are needed to unleash the growth potential; Significant progress was made in the discussions on the economic policies and reforms that could…

Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) |

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Staff Completes Staff Visit Mission for São Tomé and Príncipe

The mission team discussed with the new government its priorities and vision for economic development

A staff team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) led by Xiangming Li visited São Tomé and Príncipe during January 23-31, 2019. At the end of the visit, Ms. Li issued the following statement: “The mission team discussed with the new government its priorities and vision for economic development, as…

Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) |

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Staff concludes visit to Guinea-Bissau

Achieving budget targets will require tight expenditure control

Economic performance in 2018 suffered from lower cashew income and weak domestic revenue mobilization; the draft budget for 2019 targets increased government revenue and a deficit below 3 percent of GDP; achieving budget targets will require tight expenditure control. An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team led by Tobias Rasmussen visited…