The International Monetary Fund published a concluding statement by Deputy Managing Director Kenji Okamura after his visit to Burkina Faso, highlighting the country’s resilience despite security and humanitarian challenges. The statement credited sound economic policies and a rapid increase in exports with supporting growth, putting public debt on a sustainable path, and keeping inflation under control. It set out priorities for sustaining growth and stability, including stronger fiscal discipline and improved domestic resource mobilization to protect social spending and boost resilience to commodity price shocks, particularly gold and oil. The IMF also pointed to near-term policies to revive the private sector, welcomed the government’s reform agenda on fiscal governance, critical infrastructure and diversification, and emphasized the need to improve public investment efficiency, encourage digitalization and promote innovation; discussions also covered advancing human capital and reducing external vulnerabilities, with implementation described as critical. Okamura reiterated the IMF’s support for Burkina Faso and said the Fund looked forward to continuing its partnership.
International Monetary Fund 2026-02-06
International Monetary Fund Deputy Managing Director urges Burkina Faso to strengthen fiscal discipline and advance reforms after visit
The International Monetary Fund's Deputy Managing Director Kenji Okamura highlighted Burkina Faso's economic resilience amid challenges, crediting sound policies and export growth for sustainable public debt and controlled inflation. Priorities include fiscal discipline, resource mobilization, private sector revival, and reforms in fiscal governance, infrastructure, and diversification, with the IMF committed to ongoing support.