Ouagadougou – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Thursday approved a $32.4 million disbursement to Burkina Faso, completing the second review of the country’s economic program, according to a statement released by the Washington-based lender. The funds, equivalent to SDR 23.1 million, are available immediately to support the West African nation’s economic stability.
The latest payout follows the Fund’s review of the 48-month Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement first approved in September 2023. IMF officials cited notable economic strength, driven by a surge in global gold prices and reforms within the mining sector implemented by the government of Captain Ibrahim Traoré. The mining boom has significantly improved the country’s external position, shifting the current account balance from a deficit to a projected surplus of 1.1 percent of GDP in 2025 and 0.8 percent in 2026, the IMF reported.
“Burkina Faso’s economy has proven resilient amid security and humanitarian challenges,” said Kenji Okamura, IMF Director for Africa, in a statement. He further noted that improved governance measures and increased domestic revenue mobilization have created fiscal space, while simultaneously containing inflation and maintaining debt sustainability.
In addition to the ECF disbursement, the IMF’s Executive Board similarly approved a new Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) valued at approximately $124.3 million. This facility, running through September 2027, will prioritize climate adaptation and agricultural stability. With roughly 80 percent of Burkina Faso’s population reliant on subsistence farming, the RSF funding is intended to support agricultural adaptation measures and enhance disaster risk financing, reducing the country’s dependence on emergency food imports.
Still, the IMF emphasized that governance reforms remain an ongoing process. Authorities have completed six of eleven priority recommendations outlined in the Governance Diagnostic Assessment, including measures to strengthen the integrity of mining license procedures.
The Burkinabé government has committed to continued fiscal consolidation, targeting a deficit ceiling of 3.5 percent of GDP while safeguarding spending on essential health and social programs. This balancing act will be closely monitored by investors and development partners. The IMF noted that the country is working to improve revenue collection and manage public finances effectively.
