The world remains in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic and a seemingly accelerating pace of climate change, both of which underscore the need for increased global cooperation and dialogue. Solutions to these global problems must involve all countries and all regions, especially sub-Saharan...

Provides a broad synopsis of recent economic developments in the Middle East and Central Asia region, highlighting common trends and policies among countries in the region, and reviewing prospects and policies for the coming year. Includes a statistical appendix

The WAEMU has seen strong growth and rising living standards over the past decade. Economic growth averaged 5.4 percent in 2013-2019 and 5.8 percent in 2021-2023. Policy efforts from regional and national authorities have cushioned the impact of several external and internal shocks, prompting a...

This Selected Issues paper focuses on the costing and financing of social development goals (SDG) in Comoros. Comoros is committed to achieve SDGs, but progress has been limited. This paper uses two models-a costing model and a financing model-to illustrate the large costs of reaching some of...

This paper highlights Union of the Comoros' 2023 Article IV Consultation, First Review under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Arrangement, Requests for Waivers of Nonobservance of Performance Criteria, and Modifications of Performance Criteria. Performance under Comoros's economic reform...

Still emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, countries in sub-Saharan Africa have been hit by a sluggish global economy, worldwide inflation, high borrowing costs, and a cost-of-living crisis. In many cases, inflation is still too high, borrowing costs are still elevated, exchange-rate pressures...

This paper highlights Central African Economic and Monetary Community's (CEMAC) common policies in support of member countries reform programs. CEMAC benefited from favorable hydrocarbon prices in 2022. Economic recovery firmed up and the external position strengthened, with external reserves...

This paper presents Union of Comoros' request for a 4-year arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF). The ECF-supported program will help preserve Comoros' macroeconomic stability and implement the authorities' plans for fiscal consolidation, financial sector stabilization, and...

This paper discusses Union of The Comoros' Second Review under the Staff-Monitored Program (SMP). The implementation of the SMP, which supported the government's reform program during 2021-2022, was broadly satisfactory, with most quantitative targets and structural benchmarks being met on time....