IMF concludes Gabon visit as talks on possible support program continue

LIBREVILLE, Gabon (XOL Africa) — An International Monetary Fund staff team has concluded a 12-day visit to Gabon, holding technical discussions with the government on public finances, debt and preparations for a possible IMF-supported program.

The IMF team, led by Aliona Cebotari, visited Libreville from Sept. 14 to 25 to discuss fiscal developments and prospects with Gabonese authorities.

The discussions come as the Gabonese government seeks IMF support and works to address findings from an audit of public debt.

“Against the backdrop of the government’s request for an IMF-supported program, the staff team held technical discussions with the authorities on the findings of the public debt audit, fiscal developments and policy plans for 2027,” Cebotari said in a statement issued at the end of the visit.

The team also discussed the government’s structural reform agenda, which the IMF said is aimed at improving the management of public finances.

“Technical discussions on fiscal and public debt developments, along with the outlook, will continue in the coming weeks, with a view to paving the way for program discussions,” Cebotari said.

The IMF did not announce a financing agreement or formal program following the visit. It said the mission was an end-of-mission technical visit and would not result in a discussion by the IMF Executive Board.

The team met with President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, Vice President Alexandre Barro Chambrier, Vice President Hermann Immongault, Economy and Finance Minister Thierry Minko and Planning Minister Louise Pierrette Mvono.

It also held discussions with senior government officials, representatives of the Presidential Taskforce on Debt, the Bank of Central African States and representatives of Gabon’s financial sector.

Cebotari said the IMF team would continue technical discussions with Gabonese authorities in the coming weeks.

“The team thanks the authorities and other stakeholders for their very warm hospitality and candid engagement during the visit,” she said.

The IMF said the views expressed in the end-of-mission statement are those of its staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF Executive Board.