Context: Mali is emerging from the worst security and political crisis in its recent history. Progress in political normalization to date has been encouraging: a successful presidential election, formation of the new government and the legislative elections have demonstrated Mali’s commitment...

KEY ISSUES Context. GDP growth is on track to reach 4 percent in 2013 and is projected to increase to 4.6 percent in 2014. Inflation has been declining, following a good harvest, and should stay below 1 percent in 2013 and below 2 percent in 2014. The cabinet was reshuffled in early September....

KEY ISSUES Growth has continued to recover from the 2011/12 low. In an environment of declining inflation—recently halted by a drought-driven food price shock—the fiscal stimulus has been successful in driving economic activity, and a planned program of infrastructure investment is expected...

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Context. The coalition government that came into office on December 12, 2012, remains fully committed to the pursuit of sound policies that are helping to consolidate macroeconomic stability, despite a challenging external environment and more uncertain oil prospects. Program...

KEY ISSUES Context. The Zambian economy has performed well in recent years, with strong growth and modest inflation, and has high growth potential. The government has resolved to step up development by scaling up investment in infrastructure. However, this year has seen a significant loosening...

Executive Summary The first NPRS was drafted in 2002 and the authorities promised to reduce the percentage of the Saotomean population living in poverty (53.8 percent) by half in 2010 and by two-thirds in 2015, and to decrease the percentage of the population living in extreme poverty from 15.1...

This Joint Staff Advisory Note discusses the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) for the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe. The PRSP-II is the successor to the government's previous development strategy, the PRSP-I, and furthers the country's commitment to promoting sustainable...

OVERVIEW Rwanda made notable achievements in sustaining high growth, reducing poverty and ameliorating income inequality during the first Poverty Reduction Strategy (2002–06) and the first Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS 1; 2008–2013). Economic growth and poverty...

Context: The socio-political situation has improved substantially since the 2011 Article IV Consultation, but significant challenges remain. Boosted by a surge in public investment, economic activity rebounded quickly from the post-election crisis in early 2011. Since end-2011, the focus of...

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Comoros is in the last year of a multi-year economic and structural adjustment program and has made significant progress in stabilizing the economy. Further progress has also been made on the structural front. The program has and continues to receive the support of a broad...