Egypt, Ukraine, South Africa and Ecuador have recently signed IMF loan programmes that involve severe austerity measures.
Conditionality impacts
Finance
Analysis
The IMF and World Bank-led Covid-19 recovery: ‘Building back better’ or locking in broken policies?
Early evidence suggests IMF programmes are maintaining long-term fiscal consolidation targets, while World Bank further continues Maximizing Finance for Development narrative amidst Covid-19 crisis.
Conditionality
News
World Bank power sector loan in Nigeria raises energy costs as economic crisis bites
As Nigeria enters a deepening economic recession, a $750 million World Bank programme for results (P4R) loan has resulted in increased electricity tariff rates for most Nigerians.
Conditionality
News
Civil unrest in Zimbabwe amid IMF Staff Monitored Programme
Fears of further clampdown on protesters emerge as Zimbabwe implements Fund-backed economic reforms.
Conditionality
Analysis
The IMF’s role in the devastating impacts of Covid-19 – the case of Ecuador
IMF-backed austerity measures starved health sector prior to pandemic, yet Fund continues to prescribe devastating long-term fiscal consolidation.
Conditionality
News
UN holds Pakistan to account for IMF programme impacts on women
Concerns raised about IMF conditions pushing women back into poverty and informal work.
Conditionality
News
Uprising and discontent: Global protests erupt against IMF-backed policies
From Latin America to North Africa and the Middle East, governments experience backlash against IMF loan programmes and policy recommendations.
Conditionality
Analysis
IMF Ecuador agreement undermines workers’ rights
IMF programme raises questions over unconstitutional attack on workers' rights.
Conditionality
Analysis
Structural adjustment is dead, long live structural adjustment
As Fund publishes its first comprehensive review of conditionality since the financial crisis, questions arise about the Fund's capacity to create economic stability and the rise of structural conditions.
Conditionality
Analysis
IMF framework on social spending out of step with international standards
Fund publishes social spending strategy, civil society deems outcome too little too late.
Featured briefings
9 June 2025
New data reveal World Bank DPF ‘climate finance’ carries strong private sector bias, undermining a just transition
New BWP briefing finds the World Bank counted 70 per cent of energy-sector reforms in Development Policy Financing as having 'climate co-benefits' between 2018-2023 - but most of these promoted a private-led energy transition.
15 April 2025
The Bretton Woods Observer: Spring 2025
2 April 2025