The pandemic is taking a heavy toll on the fragile island nation of Sao Tome and Principe. Tourist arrivals came to an abrupt halt in mid-March, externally financed projects are being delayed, and supply shipments are disrupted. In response to the local outbreak, emergency confinement measures...

Armenia's economy has been hit hard by twin shocks: the COVID-19 pandemic (now in its second wave), and the recent military hostilities involving the Nagorno- Karabakh conflict zone. Reflecting these shocks, growth is expected at -7u percent this year, with the fiscal deficit and debt rising...

Real growth is expected to reach 5.2 percent in 2020 as the severe impact of the pandemic in the country was partially mitigated by a resilient mining sector. Presidential elections were held on October 18, giving President Conde an outright victory. Such results were contested by the opposition...

Barbados has made good progress in implementing its Economic Recovery and Transformation (BERT) plan to restore fiscal and debt sustainability, rebuild reserves, and increase growth-but faces major challenges owing to the global coronavirus pandemic. Since May 2018, international reserves have...

The security crisis is worsening and is leading to disruption of basic public services and an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. The Covid19 outbreak and the authority's response to contain its spread further compounded the situation. Presidential and legislative elections are scheduled for...

Presidential elections in June 2020, a re-run of the canceled 2019 elections, resulted in a change of government, with President Chakwera securing 59 percent of the vote. The new administration is facing a rapid acceleration of COVID-19 cases in Malawi and adverse spillovers from continued...

This paper discusses Niger's Fifth Review Under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement and Request for Modification of Performance Criteria. Niger faces daunting development challenges, aggravated by terrorist incursions, climate change, and low uranium export prices. Presidential elections...

This paper discusses Mali's First Review Under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement, Request for a Waiver of NonObservance of a Performance Criterion and Modification of Performance Criteria. Mali's economic growth has remained solid and the authorities have steadfastly implemented their...

This paper presents Jordan's 2020 Article IV Consultation and Request for an Extended Arrangement Under the Extended Fund Facility (ECF). Jordan's IMF-supported economic reform program is anchored on structural reforms designed to spur growth by creating jobs-especially for women and young...

This paper discusses Togo's Sixth Review Under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Arrangement and Request for Augmentation for Access. Togo's performance under the ECF-supported program has been broadly satisfactory. While the economic recovery was firming up, it has recently been hindered by...