Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) |

Strengthening Macro-fiscal and Budgeting Functions in Southern Africa

The event was organized by the IMF’s Regional Technical Assistance Center for Southern Africa (AFRITAC South)

Being a budget director, or the head of a macro-fiscal unit (MFU) of a ministry of finance, is a demanding job. So, it was an impressive combination of logistical ingenuity and good timing that brought together heads of budget and macro-fiscal functions from 11 Southern African countries for a regional…

Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) |

Joint Statement on Solidarity with Morocco

Following the earthquake of September 9, we express our full solidarity with the Moroccan authorities and people, and offer our condolences to the families of the victims

The Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi, the Chair of the African Union and President of the Comoros, Mr. Azali Assoumani, the President of the French Republic, Mr. Emmanuel Macron, the President of the World Bank, Mr. Ajay Banga, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Ms. Kristalina…

Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) |

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Reaches Staff-Level Agreement with Burkina Faso on Rapid Credit Facility through the Food Shock Window

IMF to discuss the economic outlook, macroeconomic policy and possible responses to the ongoing food crisis through the provision

IMF staff and the Burkinabé authorities have reached a staff-level agreement for about US$ 80 million (50 percent of Burkina Faso’s IMF quota) in emergency financing through the IMF’s Food Shock Window of the Rapid Credit Facility to support measures to provide urgent assistance to households in acute food insecurity…

Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) |

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board Concludes Second Review Under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement for the Republic of Congo and Approves US$87 million disbursement

Structural reforms under the authorities’ program are advancing, especially in procurement, management of public finances and debt, and publication of a decree on conflict of interests

The IMF Executive Board completed the second review under the Extended Credit Facility arrangement, enabling the Republic of Congo to draw the equivalent of SDR 64.80 million (about US$ 87 million). Strengthened economic recovery is gaining momentum but risks from lower oil prices and production and weak reform implementation remain.…

Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) |

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Staff Concludes Article IV Mission to Zimbabwe

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff team led by Dhaneshwar Ghura conducted a mission to Harare during December 1–15, 2022, in the context of the 2023 Article IV Consultation

End-of-Mission press releases include statements of IMF staff teams that convey preliminary findings after a visit to a country. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. Based on the preliminary findings of this…

Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) |

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Staff Completes Mission to the Republic of Sierra Leone

The IMF team and the authorities discussed macroeconomic developments, against a challenging global backdrop

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission, led by Mr. Christian Saborowski, visited Freetown from November 30 to December 9, 2022, for the sixth review of Sierra Leone’s financial and economic program supported by the Extended Credit Facility (ECF). [1] The ECF arrangement for Sierra Leone was approved on November 30, 2018 (see Press…

Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) |

Egypt: International Monetary Fund (IMF) Reaches Staff-Level Agreement on an Extended Fund Facility Arrangement

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team held meetings to finalize discussions on IMF support for Egypt and the authorities’ comprehensive economic reform program

International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff and the Egyptian authorities have reached a staff-level agreement on comprehensive economic policies and reforms to be supported by a 46-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) Arrangement of US$3 billion; The new EFF aims to safeguard macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability, improve Egypt’s resilience to external…

Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) |

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Staff Reaches Staff-Level Agreement on the Third Review Under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) with Seychelles

The primary fiscal deficit is expected to be contained at 1.1 percent of GDP at end-2022, declining from 3 percent in 2021 and 14.7 percent in 2020

The strong recovery of the Seychellois economy has continued in 2022. However, there are downside risks to the outlook due to the uncertainty around the global environment; The government made significant progress in implementing policies under the EFF and restoring macroeconomic balance, meeting all quantitative performance and indicative targets for…

Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) |

Statement by IMF African Department Director Abebe Aemro Selassie on Meeting with President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera of the Republic of Malawi

Commended them on their on-going efforts to combat corruption and enhance transparency and accountability in the use of public resources

Mr. Abebe Aemro Selassie, Director of the African Department at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today met with President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera of Malawi. He also met Malawi’s Vice President Salous Klaus Chilima and senior officials at the Ministry of Finance and Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM). At the conclusion…

Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) |

IMF Staff Concludes Virtual Visit to Togo

An IMF team led by Mr. Jaroslaw Wieczorek, Mission Chief for Togo, held virtual meetings with the Togolese authorities from June 1–18, 2021 to discuss recent economic developments

Discussions were focused on measures to support the ongoing response to COVID-19, efforts to strengthen the nascent economic recovery, the need for reforms to foster inclusive and sustainable private sector-led growth; The Togolese authorities have expressed their interest in support under the Extended Credit Facility; Discussions are expected to continue…