This paper presents a Joint Staff Advisory Note on Guinea’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP). Baseline economic growth is projected to accelerate to 5.2 percent in 2014 and beyond, up from just under 4 percent in 2012. This projection is based on an acceleration of economic growth...

This Technical Assistance Report discusses continued modernization of the Malian tax system and administration of natural resources. The Malian mining sector essentially consists of gold mining. The diversification policy is a failure at this point. The authorities’ stated objective of...

Several empirical studies have found that when exports are concentrated in natural resources countries experience slower rates of economic growth. Various potential channels for this relationship have been identified including Dutch disease, volatility in the terms of trade, and impacts on...

The discussions for the 2003 Article IV Consultation with Equatorial Guinea were conducted in Malabo and Bata. Executive Directors expressed concern about the continued weakness in economic policy performance, macroeconomic management, and governance. The authorities agreed that Equatorial...

This paper examines key findings of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea’s 2010 Article IV Consultation. Real GDP has increased fortyfold since 1995, and large oil revenues have allowed the government to embark on an ambitious infrastructure investment program while amassing foreign savings....

Petroleum is now by far Timor-Leste’s largest source of income. If well harnessed, Timor-Leste’s petroleum wealth offers the potential for a more prosperous future. This Selected Issues paper provides an overview of how Timor-Leste’s Petroleum Fund functions. It considers...

The staff report for Chad’s 2008 Article IV Consultation presents economic developments and policies. The global economic crisis has affected the budget and reserves through lower oil prices. Chad’s limited financial and trade integration has insulated it from the financial crisis...