insert_link Videos IMF urges vigilance on monetary policy https://youtu.be/UG1rZkT_FsQ The IMF is urging vigilance on monetary policy globally and says the job is not yet done when it comes to keeping inflation in check despite some weakening in key economies, a spokesperson for the Fund said Thursday (February 22) in Washington, DC. “Broadly speaking, because inflation has been coming down, but it's not yet at target or close enough to target our line, or our view remains the […] todayFebruary 23, 2024 16
insert_link Africa Ghana’s new vehicle tax aims to tackle pollution – expert unpacks how it’ll work and suggests reforms By Theophilus Acheampong, University of Aberdeen Ghana has introduced an annual carbon levy on vehicles and industrial emissions. It’s only the third African country to introduce an explicit carbon tax, after South Africa and Mauritius. The tax is intended to address harm associated with vehicle emissions. But it has prompted a pushback from various citizens, civic and consumer groups. The Conversation Africa’s Godfred Akoto Boafo spoke […] todayFebruary 16, 2024 22
insert_link Business / Economics IMF World Economic Outlook Update https://youtu.be/DB9yEOgE1Iw The IMF sees a runway to a ‘soft landing’ for global growth Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, head of the Fund’s Research Department said at the launch of the World Economic Outlook (WEO) Tuesday (January 30) in Johannesburg, South Africa. “The global economy continues to display remarkable resilience with inflation declining steadily and growth holding up. The chance of a soft landing as increased. But the pace of expansion remains slow and […] todayJanuary 31, 2024 18
Africa IMF tracking shows that no African state has sought comprehensive debt relief in over a year indicating a trend of growing fiscal hygiene across the region By Seth Onyango, via bird story agency Countries in Africa are showing signs of improving fiscal management, as they navigate through a cascading set of global shocks that exacerbated their debt vulnerabilities. Remarkably, no state has sought comprehensive debt relief since Ghana’s request over a year ago, signalling a trend of growing fiscal discipline across the region. The improvement bucks the trend of recent years, given that […] todayJanuary 25, 2024 9
insert_link Opinion Pieces At Davos Forum, Secretary-General Warns of Global Norms Collapsing, Highlights Need to Rebuild Trust, Reform Governance UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the World Economic Forum, in Davos, Switzerland: Thank you very much for your warm welcome. It’s good to be back — to be back and to see Davos highlighting the global crisis in trust. I believe this crisis is the direct result of a paradox facing our world. In the face of the serious, even existential threats posed by runaway climate chaos, and the […] todayJanuary 18, 2024 14
insert_link Business / Economics IMF on G7 and the US debt ceiling https://youtu.be/WOlz3Uh8HCo The IMF warned of negative consequences to the global economy if US leadership is unable to resolve its political impasse over negotiations to extend the debt ceiling, spokesperson Julie Kozack told reporters Thursday in Washington, DC. “We encourage all of the interested parties to come together, reach consensus to urgently resolve the matter. And of course, the reason that we're calling for this is because we are concerned about […] todayJanuary 12, 2024 17
insert_link Africa IMF working with several African countries https://youtu.be/c7ZwwF1-f84 The IMF is working with authorities in several African countries to provide help stabilizing their economies and financial situations spokesperson Julie Kozack told reporters Thursday (March 23) in Washington, DC. Ghana is seeking funding from the Fund with The West African country, struggling with its worst economic crisis in a generation. Ghana secured a staff-level agreement with the IMF in December for a $3 billion loan, but approval is contingent […] todayJanuary 12, 2024 34
insert_link Business / Economics IMF forecasts a ‘soft landing’ https://youtu.be/jlI1BZ81K-w The IMF sees the global economy headed for a ‘soft landing’ scenario but warns that leaders should be preparing for future shocks and challenges, spokesperson Julie Kozack told reporters Thursday in Washington, DC. (Jan. 11) “So we've had a relatively resilient global economy so far. We expect that resilience to continue into 2024. At the same time, inflation is coming down. Labor markets continue to be, uh, resilient. Of […] todayJanuary 12, 2024 18
insert_link 5 Environment Dubai climate talks a “COP of Hope” Climate mitigation talks in Dubai last week were a “COP of hope”, IMF spokesperson Julie Kozack said Thursday (Dec. 7) in Washington, DC. Tens of thousands of journalists, policymakers, bankers and civil society organizations are gathered there for the UN’s 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UNFCCC. https://youtu.be/tRZPACmuBm0 IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva attended the meeting, aimed at engaging governments around the world to curb climate change. […] todayDecember 12, 2023 12 5