Two weeks after the technical agreement of 1 September, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye met with IMF Executive Director Kristalina Georgieva in Washington. Both sides share a common will: speed up the approval of the new three-year programme, aimed at restoring public finances while protecting the most vulnerable populations.
Senegal has reached a decisive stage in its relationship with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). On 15 September 2026, the President of the Republic, His Excellency Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Fayereceived at Fund headquarters in Washington, D.C. Mrs Kristalina Georgieva, Director-General of the institution.
This meeting follows on from the technical agreement concluded on 1 September, which paves the way for a three-year programme supported by the Extended Credit Facility (EFC).
A Historical and Continuing Relationship
Since joining the Bretton Woods institutions in 1963, Senegal has maintained a constant partnership with the IMF. The programmes of the 2000s had already made significant progress in budgetary discipline. More recently, the Government ' s decision to make the real financial situation public had strengthened confidence and maintained an uninterrupted dialogue with the Fund ' s teams.
President Faye welcomed the personal commitment of Ms. Georgieva and the quality of collaboration between Senegalese and IMF services, which converged on the technical agreement of 1 September.
A common will to move quickly
Both sides welcomed the results achieved and expressed their determination to obtain early approval of the programme by the IMF Executive Board. The aim is to preserve the momentum created by the technical agreement and to ease the liquidity constraints on the Senegalese economy without delay.
The Head of State reiterated the priority given to reforms: better debt management, increased revenue mobilization, rationalisation of expenditure and improvement of the business climate. As many already committed projects as the programme consolidates.
A people-centred programme
President Faye stressed one principle: recovery will not be at the expense of the most fragile. Social protection is at the heart of the system: Strengthening of the national programme of family security scholarships, Maintenance of student scholarships, Consolidation of universal health coverage, Progressive and targeted reform of energy subsidies, in order to favour the most vulnerable households.
In addition, the plan to clear arrears due to private companies aims to restore their cash flow, preserve jobs and boost investment. Strategic projects will be pursued within limits consistent with debt sustainability. The final objective is stronger, inclusive and creating sustainable jobs for young people.
A new phase of cooperation
This meeting marks the opening of a new phase of cooperation between Senegal and the IMF, based on transparency, accountability and concrete results for the people. President Faye has assured Senegal that it will fulfil its commitments and continue its dialogue with all its partners to open a cycle of growth and shared prosperity.
After three days of work in Washington, with meetings with the United States private sector, the World Bank and IMF, the President left the United States capital for Abu Dhabi, where he will be received by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates.
Mamadou SY
