IMF Official Plans Visit to Sudan
Sudan’s Minister of Finance, Gibril Ibrahim, met with Regis Monceau, Executive Director of the African Group III at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), to discuss enhancing cooperation and coordination between Sudan and the IMF, particularly amid economic and developmental challenges facing both the country and the African region at large.
During their meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, the minister provided a comprehensive briefing on the latest economic developments in Sudan. He highlighted emerging positive trends despite the ongoing war, pointing to a gradual recovery in national economic performance, with noticeable improvements in commercial activity and continued stabilization of the national currency—indicating signs of relative economic stability.
The minister projected a qualitative economic transformation early next year, driven by the increasing return of citizens to liberated areas and the resumption of trade and productive activities. He noted that agricultural production during the war has surpassed levels recorded in previous peacetime years, countering widespread rumors of a potential famine. He emphasized Sudan’s shift from emergency relief to sustainable development.
The meeting also addressed shared developmental challenges facing African countries and ways to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals through collective action within the African Group I. Both sides discussed the role of the group in influencing IMF leadership decisions to secure support for African countries, especially in critical sectors such as agriculture, education, healthcare, capacity building, and the inclusion of African youth in international financial institutions.
The minister expressed Sudan’s desire to benefit from the IMF’s accumulated technical expertise to enhance the capabilities of national financial institutions, including the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Sudan, the Central Bureau of Statistics, and the Tax Authority.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Executive Director reaffirmed his personal commitment to supporting Sudan in international forums and announced his intention to visit Sudan as soon as possible, in solidarity with the Sudanese people and to reaffirm the ongoing strong cooperation between both parties. He expressed his hope for the return of peace and stability to Sudan.
