The International Monetary Fund published an end-of-mission statement announcing a staff-level agreement with Guinea-Bissau on economic and financial policies that could support completion of the ninth and tenth reviews under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement. If agreed prior actions are implemented and the IMF’s Management and Executive Board approve the reviews, Guinea-Bissau would gain access to SDR 2.36 million (about USD 3.3 million), and the ECF-supported program would be extended by five months to 29 December 2026. The IMF noted that implementation of the ninth review package agreed in October 2025 was delayed following the change in government in November 2025, alongside tighter regional financial conditions that increased financing constraints. The statement reported estimated 2025 growth of 5.5% and average inflation of 0.9%, alongside a larger-than-anticipated fiscal deficit driven by weaker revenue, higher interest spending, and lower external budget support; public debt was estimated at 74.3% of GDP. The transitional authorities have tightened expenditure controls, maintained a zero ceiling on other common expenditures in recent months, and implemented additional revenue and spending measures as prior actions for the combined ninth and tenth reviews; the extension is framed as supporting full-year implementation of the 2026 budget to help maintain debt sustainability. IMF staff will prepare a report for Executive Board consideration, subject to Management approval; completion of the reviews would enable the disbursement and bring total disbursements under the arrangement to SDR 37.4 million (about USD 51.6 million).
International Monetary Fund 2026-02-16
International Monetary Fund reaches staff-level agreement with Guinea-Bissau on ECF reviews, paving way for USD 3.3 million disbursement and a program extension to 29 December 2026
The International Monetary Fund announced a staff-level agreement with Guinea-Bissau on policies for the ninth and tenth reviews under the Extended Credit Facility, potentially granting access to SDR 2.36 million (USD 3.3 million) and extending the program by five months. The agreement follows delays due to a government change and tighter regional financial conditions, with 2025 growth estimated at 5.5% and public debt at 74.3% of GDP. Transitional authorities have implemented expenditure controls and revenue measures to support the 2026 budget and maintain debt sustainability.