Statement by International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde at the Conclusion of her visit to South Africa

The country has made substantial progress over the past quarter of a century, achieving much improved living standards for its citizens

Ms. Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), issued the following statement today in Pretoria at the conclusion of her visit to South Africa: “I wish to thank President Ramaphosa, Governor Kganyago, who is also the IMFC Chairman, as well as Minister Patel, Minister Davies and other…

Statement by International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde on Meeting with South Africa Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa

Statement by International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde on Meeting with South Africa Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa: International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde met the Deputy President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, today in Davos. They discussed recent developments and the outlook in South Africa. At the conclusion of…

The International Monetary and Financial Committee Selects South African Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago as New Chairman

Mr. Kganyago has been the Governor of the South African Reserve Bank since November 2014

The members of the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC), the policy advisory committee of the Board of Governors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), have selected Mr. Lesetja Kganyago, Governor of the South African Reserve Bank, as Chairman of the Committee for a term of three years, effective January…

IMF Executive Board Concludes 2017 Article IV Consultation with the Kingdom of Swaziland

On September 1, 2017, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation [1] with the Kingdom of Swaziland. Since the 2010 fiscal crisis, Swaziland has experienced a period of macroeconomic stability and recovery. A rebound in South African Customs Union (SACU) revenues, expansionary policies…

IMF Staff Completes 2017 Article IV Visit to South Africa

Headline inflation is expected to return below 6 percent in the second half of 2017 and in 2018, making it appropriate for policy rates to remain on hold, and for the central bank to stand ready to increase rates if inflation expectations were to rise

South Africa’s rate of real GDP growth is projected at 1 percent in 2017 thanks to a resumption of solid agricultural production as the drought abates, and an increase in mining output prompted by a moderate rebound in the prices of South Africa’s commodity exports. Headline inflation is expected to return…

IMF Hosts Conference on “Managing Capital Flows: Challenges for Developing Countries” in Zambia

The conference provided a forum for policy makers to share experiences on how best to reap the benefits from capital flows, while managing the risks

Participants agreed that capital flows to developing countries are generally beneficial—particularly in the current context of a much leaner environment—by providing an important source of financing for investments and by helping to maintain foreign exchange reserves. Participants agreed that (i) the composition of capital flows matters for financial stability and…

Pan-African Banking Finding its Stride

The banks have facilitated many positive changes—providing customers with new and better products and services, operating improved IT and management systems, and observing more advanced regulatory and accounting standards

In the years since the global financial crisis, Africa has witnessed a rapid expansion of cross-border banking, led by banking groups based in Africa that are spurring financial and economic integration and transforming the continent’s financial landscape. These institutions are occupying a space created by the retreat of several global…

South Africa: Concluding Statement of an IMF Staff Visit

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission visited South Africa December1-9, 2016, to discuss the outlook, risks, and policy challenges facing the South African economy

Reforms to Lift Growth and Permit More Gradual Fiscal Adjustment Since 1994, economic growth and sound policies have been mutually reinforcing, fostering economic transformation and improving living conditions. However, the long-run economic growth rate has gradually slowed over the years. Following the onset of adverse shocks such as the decline…

IMF Executive Board Concludes 2016 Article IV Consultation with Namibia

Since the financial crisis, Namibia has experienced remarkable growth and economic progress

On December 2, 2016, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation[1] with Namibia. Since the financial crisis, Namibia has experienced remarkable growth and economic progress. Strong policy frameworks and expansionary domestic policies have contributed to macroeconomic stability, robust growth, and rising living standards.…

Bridging South Africa’s Economic Divide

David Lipton / Witwatersrand University, Johannesburg

Thank you very much for your kind introduction and the warm welcome from the Witwatersrand community. It is a pleasure to be back in South Africa. Let me begin with a tribute to South Africa’s achievements. This country offers an extraordinary legacy of freedom and reason that is a model…