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.
Debt
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
Analysis
Public-private partnerships: The global debt iceberg?
Despite their popularity, PPPs have a very bad track record of delivering cost-effective investment for governments, and pose additional and serious problems by reducing transparency and accountability.
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.
Finance
News
Taxes rise in Ghana as IMF loan approved
The IMF has approved the third disbursement of a loan agreement to Ghana, however, concerns were raised regarding associated tax rises.
Finance
News
Third time a charm? Fund pressured into possible return to Greece
As Eurozone countries agree a new loan package to Greece, the IMF has conceded to ‘major concessions’ instead of up front debt relief and may participate in a new programme despite its insistence that the Fund's involvement in future programmes is dependent on ‘significant debt relief’.
Rights
News
UN independent expert: "IMF programmes worsen income distribution"
A report by the UN independent expert on foreign debt, exploring inequality, financial crises and human rights, claims that IMF programmes are associated with a worsening of income distribution.
Featured briefings
27 September 2023
Financialisation and human rights in the Middle East and North Africa
This briefing explains how the IMF and World Bank have driven the financialisation of MENA states, and the pervasive negative effects this has had on the region’s societies and economies.
19 July 2023
The Bretton Woods Observer: Summer 2023
3 July 2023
Civil Society calls for rethink of World Bank’s ‘evolution roadmap’ as part of wider reforms to highly unequal global financial architecture
Joint civil society briefing paper highlights concerns with the World Bank’s Evolution Roadmap, and provides a series of recommendations for a Roadmap that prioritises people, participation and the planet over profit and economic growth.