KEY ISSUES:Context. Strong area-wide economic performance in 2012 was largely driven by public investment financed by high oil revenues. GDP growth is expected to slow down in 2013 due to a decline in oil production, moderation in public investment and the political crisis in Central African...

Cover -- Contents -- I. Introduction -- II. Recent Developments and Outlook -- III. Policy Discussions -- A. Fiscal Policies -- B. Financial Sector -- C. Growth-Enhancing Policies -- IV. Access and Capacity to Repay the Fund -- V. Staff Appraisal -- Tables -- 1. Selected Economic and Social...

EXECUTIVE SUMMARYEconomic activity remained weak in early 2014. Activity was impacted by an outbreak ofthe Ebola virus since late 2013, but lagging structural reforms, energy shortages, and political uncertainty may also be at play. Economic growth is estimated to have been 2.3 percent in 2013,...

EXECUTIVE SUMMARYGrowth remains robust, despite slight downward revisions. Growth estimates for 2013 and projections for 2014 were revised to 6.6 and 6.8 percent, respectively, reflecting weather and weaker terms of trade. Inflation is around zero, partly due to subsidized food prices. The...

Cover -- CONTENTS -- BACKGROUND -- RECENT DEVELOPMENTS -- DISCUSSIONS -- A. Outlook -- B. Economic Policies -- PROGRAM MODALITIES -- STAFF APPRAISAL -- TABLES -- 1. Selected Economic Indicators, 2009-13 -- 2. Modified General Government Cash Balance, 2012-16 -- 3. General Government Operations,...

Cover -- CONTENTS -- THE CONTEXT -- POSITIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS -- SATISFACTORY PROGRAM PERFORMANCE -- FAVORABLE ECONOMIC OUTLOOK BUT RISING RISKS -- A. Baseline Scenario -- B. Downside Risks -- POLICY DISCUSSIONS -- A. Sustaining Rapid, Inclusive Growth -- B. Fiscal Policy: Supporting Growth...

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Context. The emergence of large fiscal and external imbalances in recent years, which led to a slowdown in growth, is putting Ghana's medium-term prospects at risk. The Government's efforts to achieve fiscal consolidation since mid-2013 have been undermined by policy slippages,...

This paper discusses Burkina Faso's Third Review Under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Arrangement. Policies and reform implementation under the ECF-supported program have been satisfactory. All end-June 2019 quantitative performance criteria and indicative targets were met as well as all,...

This paper discusses Mexico's Review Under the Flexible Credit Line (FCL) Arrangement. Mexico has navigated successfully a complex external environment, characterized by falling commodity prices, a sharp appreciation of the U.S. dollar, and heightened volatility in international financial...

This paper discusses Sierra Leone's Third and Fourth Reviews Under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement and Financing Assurances Review, Requests for Waivers for Nonobservance of Performance Criteria (PC) and Modification of PC. Program implementation has been good, notwithstanding the...