IMF freezes second payment of $2.8 billion loan to Tunisia, demanding accelerated reform programme despite concerns this will push Tunisia “to the brink”.
Debt
Finance
Analysis
IMF and debt restructuring: just talk?
An IMF staff blog has acknowledged weaknesses in IMF’s approach to debt sustainability, meanwhile civil society continues to demand human rights-based approach considering who bears burden of debt repayment.
Finance
News
Ghana: political costs of structural adjustment
Ghana elected a new president who has pledged to review the country's IMF programme, which was criticised by civil society for its harsh impacts on the poorest.
Finance
News
IMF reconsiders new loan as Mozambique defaults
Mozambique defaults on its debt after IMF freezes loan. IMF reopens discussions on new loan programme but civil society concerned lessons are not learnt.
Finance
News
Doubts persist over IMF participation in new Greek programme
IMF claims it is does not advocate austerity as Greek finance minister accuses IMF of economising with the truth and pushing harmful and counterproductive reforms.
Conditionality
Analysis
IMF “rebuked” over role in Troika and its lending to Greece, Ireland and Portugal
IMF’s Independent Evaluation Office has found the Fund’s 2010/2011 Troika lending to Greece, Ireland and Portugal fell short in terms of surveillance, design, implementation and decision making, and described controversial decisions as appearing “rubber-stamped”.
IFI governance
Background
Recurring debt crises in sub-Saharan Africa and the rise of bond issuance
Notes from a side event at the IMF/World Bank 2016 annual meetings launching a new report on bonds issuance in Nigeria, Zambia and Ghana, followed by a panel discussion on government bonds as a debt issue.
IFI governance
Background
Stopping vulture funds through national anti-vulture laws
Notes from a side event at the IMF/World Bank 2016 annual meetings exploring the issue of vulture funds from various angles, as well as possible solutions.
Finance
News
IMF increasing its influence in sub-Saharan Africa
As the world economy continues to stutter, many sub-Saharan African countries are turning to the Fund for financial support, though the Funds are coming with strict conditions to restrict spending.
Finance
News
CSOs call on World Bank and Fund to transform Debt Sustainability Framework
NGOs have called on the Bank and Fund to ensure that states’ basic needs, rather than just ability to pay, is incorporated in their review of the Debt Sustainability Framework used to assess low income countries.
Featured briefings
21 July 2022
Ending “absolute immunity” for the International Finance Corporation: The legacy of Jam v. IFC
EarthRights International examines how the Jam v. IFC case has helped to shift the landscape of accountability for international financial institutions by successfully challenging their claim to “absolute” immunity in US courts, potentially opening IFC up to further legal challenges in future.
21 July 2022
The Bretton Woods Observer: Summer 2022
14 April 2022