Rwanda’s Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy provides a medium-term framework for achieving the country’s long-term development goals and aspirations as embodied in Rwanda Vision 2020, the seven-year Government of Rwanda programme, and the Millennium Development...

This abstract discusses Benin’s poverty reduction strategy (PRS1). The PRS1 serves as both a strategic frame of reference and a framework for dialogue with technical and financial partners (TFPs). The six major phases involved in the preparation of the growth and poverty reduction...

The paper reports the progress of the Honduran poverty reduction strategy program, projects, and policy measures. The report provides details on the organization and results of the consultation process, and analyzes the macroeconomic framework for the poverty reduction strategy. An overview of...

This Selected Issues and Statistical Appendix paper on Burkina Faso reviews background information and analytical support for key policy issues. This paper extends the results from the debt sustainability analysis for Burkina Faso and develops two alternative debt ratios that are suitable for...

This 2013 Article IV Consultation highlights that Sierra Leone has made significant progress in macroeconomic stabilization over the last five years. Real GDP growth averaged some 7 percent, driven by output expansion in agriculture, mining, and services; as well as the scaling-up of...

This paper discusses Sierra Leone’s First Review Under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Arrangement, Request for Modification of Performance Criteria (PC), and Financing Assurances Review. Program performance has been strong. All PCs were met with comfortable margins, and all indicative...

KEY ISSUES The Ebola outbreak and sharp drop in iron ore prices have dealt a severe blow to Sierra Leone’s economy. The Ebola epidemic, which continues to spread albeit at a lower rate than in latter parts of 2014, has exacted a heavy human toll (at least 3000 lives to date) and disrupted...

KEY ISSUES Background. The Ebola outbreak that started in one district in late May has spread to the entire country, overwhelming already weak institutions and ill-equipped medical facilities. At end-August, over 1000 people were infected and more than a third had died from the disease. The...

The discussions took place in Freetown during March 29–April 11, 2012; and in Washington (April 21–24, 2012). They focused on conditions for completing the fourth ECF review, corrective measures to be implemented to address fiscal slippages that had occurred in late 2011, and policies...

This paper discusses commodity prices might serve as a useful leading indicator of inflation, based on the relative importance of flexible auction markets for the determination of these prices. They thus may have a tendency to respond relatively quickly, especially in response to monetary...