IMF to provide $1.4bn to Sudan following pledges from member countries

The fund will continue to support the African country's recovery from a long period of instability and economic hardship, IMF managing director says

Sudanese vendors sell vegetables in the central market of Khartoum. The African country secured debt relief from the IMF, which will help pave the way for financial assistance from 22 countries at an upcoming conference in Paris in July. AFPShow less

The International Monetary Fund will provide comprehensive debt relief to Sudan as member countries of the fund pledged to support the African country with $1.4 billion worth of financing.

The new financing from 101 member countries will help Sudan clear its arrears to the IMF as well as seek further assistance from the fund, the Washington-based lender said on Tuesday.

“Today’s financing milestone marks a historic opportunity for Sudan to move toward comprehensive debt relief from the IMF and the international community,” Kristalina Georgieva, IMF’s managing director, said. “The Fund will continue to support Sudan in its recovery from a long period of instability and economic hardship.”

Earlier this month, Sudan's Finance Minister Gibril Ibrahim told Bloomberg, the country aims to clear a “substantial portion” of its $60bn foreign debt by the end of July. Clearing the country's arrears with the IMF before July 1 will pave the way for debt relief ahead of a meeting of the Paris Club, an informal group of 22 government creditors, two weeks later, Mr Ibrahim told the news agency.

A number of countries have recently pledged financial support to Sudan including France and Saudi Arabia as the African country faces tough economic challenges in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic as well as mismanagement of the economy under the previous government led by Omar Al Bashir.

Ms Georgieva said Sudan is now one step closer to reaching the HIPC (Highly Indebted Poor Countries) decision point, “a landmark which will significantly reduce Sudan’s total debt and allow access to fresh funds and new investments critical to boost growth and fight poverty”.

The HIPC Initiative was launched in 1996 by the IMF and World Bank, with the aim of ensuring that no poor country faces a debt burden it cannot manage. Since then, the international financial community, including multilateral organisations and governments, have worked together to lower to sustainable levels the external debt burdens of the most heavily indebted poor countries.

“I would like to recognise the efforts of our member countries, including many low-income economies, in mobilising funding for Sudan, as well as the continued co-operation from the World Bank, African Development Bank, Paris Club, European Commission and other development partners which were critical to the success of this multilateral initiative,” Ms Georgieva, said.

Sudan is undertaking a number of reforms including the removal of fuel subsidies and broadening its tax base to stabilise its economy and support growth. Earlier this year, it devaluated its currency among other measures to help attract investment and boost exports.

Last year, the US removed Sudan from its state sponsors of terrorism list, paving the way for the country to get financial help from the World Bank and the IMF.