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Business and Economics > Banks and Banking

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Cover Policy Papers
Interim Review of Access Limits Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust and Initial Considerations for Access Limits under the General Resource Account
International Monetary Fund. Strategy, Policy, & Review Department
The interim review on PRGT access limits follows the call from the Executive Board in March 2023 and confirmed by the IMFC in October 2023. Low-income countries (LICs) face high economic uncertainty and pressures, while grappling with limited policy space and a funding squeeze. In March 2023, access limits under the General Resources Account (GRA) were temporarily increased for 12 months to give space for countries to face such economic pressures. The IMF Executive Board emphasized the importance of the alignment of the Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT) access limits with those of the GRA that was achieved in 2021. The Board also agreed that, once substantial progress with PRGT fundraising toward the SDR 2.3 billion first-stage target for subsidy resources agreed in 2021 has been made—with total pledges of SDR 2 billion or more—access limits under the PRGT would be reviewed at an ad hoc interim review. This target has now been reached, paving the way for the review, also called for by the IMFC during the Annual Meetings in October 2023, in a context where the LICs’ economic challenges have further increased, including due to the risk of additional negative spillovers on the global economy stemming from the current geopolitical tensions and conflicts.
Keywords:
Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust; PRGT; low-income countries; LICs; General Resources Account (GRA); PRGT resource; PRGT financing strategy; PRGT lending; PRGT access norm; PRGT commitment; Concessional external borrowing; Debt sustainability; Poverty reduction strategy; Balance of payments need; Credit risk; Global
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC): Staff Report on the Common Policies of Member Countries, and Common Policies in Support of Member Countries Reform Programs-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for the Central African Economic and Monetary Community
International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
The economic shock associated with the COVID-19 pandemic is set to have long-lasting effects on the economic outlook for CEMAC. The pandemic itself seems to be now broadly under control in the region, and the policy response from national and regional authorities, supported by significant emergency financing by the Fund, helped mitigate the initial economic fallout. With lower medium-term oil prices, the outlook projects that CEMAC’s fiscal and external adjustments will be slower than previously envisaged, entailing large external financing needs (around €6.6 billion for 2021–23). Gross international reserves will now reach the equivalent of 5 months of imports by 2025 vs. 2022 pre-pandemic, while net foreign assets (NFA) will be below previous expectations. Public debt would remain at elevated levels, albeit on a declining trend after the increase in 2020. This outlook is highly uncertain and contingent on the evolution of the pandemic and its impact on oil prices. Other significant risks include: delayed implementation of the ongoing or a second phase of new Fund-supported programs, difficulties in filling large external financing needs, and a deterioration in the security situation.
Keywords:
ISCR; CR; CEMAC authorities; CEMAC government; BEAC's monetary policy stance; IMF article; BEAC governor; Policy support
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC): Staff Report on the Common Policies of Member Countries, and Common Policies in Support of Member Countries Reform Programs-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for the Central African Economic and Monetary Community
International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
The economic shock associated with the COVID-19 pandemic is set to have long-lasting effects on the economic outlook for CEMAC. The pandemic itself seems to be now broadly under control in the region, and the policy response from national and regional authorities, supported by significant emergency financing by the Fund, helped mitigate the initial economic fallout. With lower medium-term oil prices, the outlook projects that CEMAC’s fiscal and external adjustments will be slower than previously envisaged, entailing large external financing needs (around €6.6 billion for 2021–23). Gross international reserves will now reach the equivalent of 5 months of imports by 2025 vs. 2022 pre-pandemic, while net foreign assets (NFA) will be below previous expectations. Public debt would remain at elevated levels, albeit on a declining trend after the increase in 2020. This outlook is highly uncertain and contingent on the evolution of the pandemic and its impact on oil prices. Other significant risks include: delayed implementation of the ongoing or a second phase of new Fund-supported programs, difficulties in filling large external financing needs, and a deterioration in the security situation.
Keywords:
ISCR; CR; CEMAC authorities; CEMAC government; BEAC's monetary policy stance; IMF article; BEAC governor; Policy support; CEMAC Economic; COVID-19; Fiscal stance; Oil; gas and mining taxes; Oil prices; Global; Central Africa; Sub-Saharan Africa; Policy recommendation; IMF's transparency policy; Foreign exchange regulations
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Cameroon: Fifth Review Under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement and Request for a Waiver of Nonobservance of a Performance Criterion and Modification Performance Criteria-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Cameroon
International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
This paper discusses Cameroon’s Fifth Review Under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement and Request for a Waiver of NonObservance of a Performance Criterion and Modification of Performance Criteria (PC). Growth reached 3.9 percent in the first half of 2019, supported by a rebound in the oil and gas sector. The overall fiscal deficit was 1.4 percent of GDP for the first three quarters of 2019, slightly better than the program’s projection. External buffers are being rebuilt, despite external and domestic headwinds. The economy is coping with the impact of the suspension of production at the national oil refinery (SONARA). Program implementation over the first nine months of 2019 was mixed and faces challenges. The continuous PC on external arrears accumulation and three September ITs were also missed. Structural reforms are advancing but with delays. The IMF staff supports the authorities’ requests for completion of the fifth review, a waiver of nonobservance of one continuous performance criterion and modification of one December 2019 and one 2020 performance criterion.
Keywords:
ISCR; CR; supplement request; debt; government; list of project
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC): Staff Report on the Common Policies in Support of Member Countries Reform Programs-Press Release, Staff Report, and Statement by the Executive Director
International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
Tighter macroeconomic and financial policies helped to avert a deeper crisis, and gross external reserves increased more rapidly in recent months, largely exceeding the mid-2019 target. However, reserves are still below the level appropriate for commodityexporting economies (5 months of imports) to absorb terms of trade shocks. Fiscal consolidation has been tilted towards cuts in public investment. This, together with a lack of significant progress in structural reforms, has weighed on growth which remains too low. The outlook for 2019 and beyond foresees further improvement in regional reserves assuming CEMAC countries remain committed to their program objectives and new programs with CAR and Equatorial Guinea could start around end-2019. This outlook is subject to potentially significant risks, including: a significant slowdown in global growth and associated decline in oil prices; a deterioration in the security situation in some countries; and weaker implementation of IMF-supported programs.
Keywords:
ISCR; CR; CEMAC authorities; CEMAC PFM; CEMAC Commission; MCM; FAD CEMAC
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Cameroon: Fifth Review Under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement and Request for a Waiver of Nonobservance of a Performance Criterion and Modification Performance Criteria-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Cameroon
International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
This paper discusses Cameroon’s Fifth Review Under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement and Request for a Waiver of NonObservance of a Performance Criterion and Modification of Performance Criteria (PC). Growth reached 3.9 percent in the first half of 2019, supported by a rebound in the oil and gas sector. The overall fiscal deficit was 1.4 percent of GDP for the first three quarters of 2019, slightly better than the program’s projection. External buffers are being rebuilt, despite external and domestic headwinds. The economy is coping with the impact of the suspension of production at the national oil refinery (SONARA). Program implementation over the first nine months of 2019 was mixed and faces challenges. The continuous PC on external arrears accumulation and three September ITs were also missed. Structural reforms are advancing but with delays. The IMF staff supports the authorities’ requests for completion of the fifth review, a waiver of nonobservance of one continuous performance criterion and modification of one December 2019 and one 2020 performance criterion.
Keywords:
ISCR; CR; supplement request; debt; government; list of project; supplementary letter of intent; modification of performance criteria; contract enforcement; Arrears; Debt sustainability analysis; Fiscal stance; Global
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC): Staff Report on the Common Policies in Support of Member Countries Reform Programs-Press Release, Staff Report, and Statement by the Executive Director
International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
This paper highlights annual discussions on Central African Economic and Monetary Community’s (CEMAC) Common Policies in Support of Member Countries Reform Programs. Tighter macroeconomic and financial policies helped to avert a deeper crisis, and gross external reserves increased more rapidly in recent months, also helped by a stronger implementation of CEMAC foreign exchange regulations. Reforms to support a more diversified and inclusive growth, including by improving governance and the business climate, should gain momentum to make current efforts to buttress the external position of the region sustainable. The outlook for 2019 and beyond foresees further improvement in regional reserves assuming CEMAC countries remain committed to their program objectives and new programs with Cameroon, Central African Republic and Equatorial Guinea could start around end-2019.
Keywords:
ISCR; CR; CEMAC authorities; CEMAC PFM; CEMAC Commission; MCM; FAD CEMAC
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Cameroon: Fourth Review under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement and Requests for Waivers of Nonobservance of Performance Criteria and Modification of Performance Criteria-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Cameroon
International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
Growth is estimated to have rebounded to 4 percent in 2018, supported by stronger-than-anticipated oil and gas production and Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) projects. The overall fiscal deficit declined by half to 2½ percent of GDP, and external buffers are being rebuilt. Public debt continues to increase, due to faster project disbursements.
Keywords:
ISCR; CR; May payment; January payment; nonobservance of the continuous performance criterion; January; nonobservance; SNH data reconciliation
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Cameroon: Fourth Review under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement and Requests for Waivers of Nonobservance of Performance Criteria and Modification of Performance Criteria-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Cameroon
International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
This paper discusses Cameroon’s Fourth Review Under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement and Requests for Waivers of Nonobservance of Performance Criteria and Modification of Performance Criteria. Growth is estimated to have rebounded to 4 percent in 2018, supported by stronger-than-anticipated oil and gas production and Africa Cup of Nations projects. Program implementation has improved from a year ago, however, challenges remain. Refraining from new nonconcessional borrowing and strictly adhering to the disbursement plan for contracted-but-undisbursed loans are essential to preserving debt sustainability. Further project prioritization and enhanced investment efficiency will help address developmental needs while supporting prudent debt management. Cameroon’s program continues to be supported by the implementation of supportive policies and reforms by the regional institutions in the areas of foreign exchange regulations and monetary policy framework and to support an increase in regional net foreign assets, which are critical to the program’s success.
Keywords:
ISCR; CR; May payment; January payment; nonobservance of the continuous performance criterion; January; nonobservance; SNH data reconciliation; disbursement of SDR; sends disbursement plan; Arrears; Fiscal stance; Credit; Debt service; Global; Africa
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC): Common Policies in Support of Member Countries Reform Programs
International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
The regional strategy has helped stabilize the regional economic position thanks to large fiscal consolidation efforts, a tighter monetary policy, and external financial assistance. The external position improved, and external reserves picked up. However, the region remains dependent on oil revenues, with little progress in economic diversification, under-performing budget non-oil revenues and weaknesses in the financial sector. The policy assurances included in BEAC’s letter of December 2018 were implemented as planned and the CEMAC authorities reiterated their full commitment to the strategy and their readiness to implement additional corrective measures if needed. Progress was made towards new IMF-supported program in Congo and Equatorial Guinea.
Keywords:
ISCR; CR; CEMAC Commission; CEMAC authorities; BEAC; bank; CEMAC country; liquidity-stressed bank; IMF staff estimate; policy assurance; Fiscal stance; Oil prices; Liquidity; Excess liquidity; Central Africa