IMF's continued push for central bank independence criticised as undemocratic, unequal and for curtailing countries' capacity to respond to the pandemic.
Conditionality impacts
Finance
Analysis
Economic stability with social instability: The IMF and austerity protests in Colombia
Mario Valencia of Latindadd explains the context of ongoing protests in Colombia following proposed tax increases from the IMF.
Finance
Commentary
World Bank must place economic transformation at heart of IDA20 replenishment
IDA20 must take urgent action to ensure tangible support for economic transformation and decent jobs, and the establishment of a social protection fund.
Conditionality
Commentary
Costa Rica resoundingly rejects IMF’s 'austericidal' recipe
Alternative progressive solutions reached by democratic and inclusive multi-sectoral dialogue.
Conditionality
News
Pakistan resists IMF measures that could “push more people into poverty”
IMF programme would result in increased electricity prices and regressive consumer tax hikes amid rising cost of living.
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.
IFI governance
Analysis
Development Committee communiqué analysis – Annual Meetings 2020
Analysis of the Development Committee communiqué published on 16 October from the 2020 World Bank and IMF virtual Annual Meetings.
Rights
Analysis
Repairing harm caused: What could a reparations approach mean for the IMF and World Bank?
It is time for the IMF and World Bank to understand their own responsibility and decolonise their approach.
Conditionality
Commentary
An IMF bailout for Lebanon can make things worse
Amidst multiple financial and economic crises, a classic IMF intervention in Lebanon could exacerbate inequalities and social tensions.
Conditionality
News
Civil society raises alarm about IMF’s continued backing of austerity amidst pandemic
Egypt, Ukraine, South Africa and Ecuador have recently signed IMF loan programmes that involve severe austerity measures.
Featured briefings
5 October 2023
World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings 2023
4 October 2023
The Bretton Woods Observer: Autumn 2023
4 October 2023
The IMF and World Bank talk good governance, but walk with state- capturers
From South Africa to Tunisia, Libya and Egypt, the Bank and Fund have demonstrated they are not appropriate allies to address the scale of the crisis the world is facing, especially, given their record.