This 2015 Article IV Consultation highlights that Afghanistan remains a poor fragile state that is far from self-reliance. Significant fiscal and banking vulnerabilities emerged in 2014. Domestic revenue collection fell below its 2013 level because of lower growth, declining imports, and lower...

KEY ISSUES Inflation subsided in 2013 but preexisting and emerging macro-financial vulnerabilities need to be tackled. After reaching a 15-year high in 2012, inflation is coming back within the central bank’s target thanks to tighter monetary policy and fiscal consolidation. However, a recent...

In recent years, the IMF has released a growing number of reports and other documents covering economic and financial developments and trends in member countries. Each report, prepared by a staff team after discussions with government officials, is published at the option of the member country

Staff Report for the 2012 Article IV consultation, prepared by a staff team of the IMF, following discussions that ended on July 23, 2012, with the officials of Sudan on economic developments and policies. Based on information available at the time of these discussions, the staff report was...

The Gulf Cooperation Council countries have successfully weathered recent turbulence in the Middle East, and their economic prospects remain favorable. Nonhydrocarbon activity has been strong amid reform implementation, although overall growth has decelerated due to cuts in oil production. The...

KEY ISSUES Context. The region continued to experience strong growth in 2014, led by the continued economic expansion in Cote d’Ivoire. The outlook is for further strong growth, subject to a range of downward risks, in particular political instability ahead of upcoming elections in several...

Ethiopia pursues a public sector-led growth strategy that focuses on promoting growth through high public investment supported partly by low nominal interest rates. While the strategy has contributed to robust economic growth in the past, recent developments indicate a buildup of vulnerabilities...

The key issue facing Congo is how to use oil and mineral resources effectively in support of inclusive growth. Economic conditions are supportive--macroeconomic stability is in place, the terms of trade are favorable, and the external position is strong. External risks are mitigated by...

The CEMAC’s economy lost some momentum in 2023 and the external position deteriorated somewhat, while inflation cooled but remained high. Updated statistics revealed a much more deteriorated fiscal situation than originally estimated. The near-term outlook is one of continued recovery, with...

This paper discusses common policies of member countries, and common policies in support of member countries reform programs in Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC). In order to preserve price stability and strengthen external buffers, maintain a data-dependent monetary policy...