Mali and the IMF are preparing talks on an Extended Credit Facility, a multi-year concessional lending program, following a Fund mission to Bamako on October 5–9, the finance ministry said, according to APA. Forecasts for economic growth in 2026 range from the IMF's 5.5% estimate in March to the government's 6.3%, with the African Development Bank projecting 6.0%.
Analysis: The agencies also differ on 2025: the IMF estimates growth of 4.9%, against 5.6% from the government and African Development Bank. A lending arrangement would follow an IMF staff-monitored program that provided no financing. For banks and investors buying government bonds, a new program could bring budget funding beyond the regional debt market, where Mali has raised approximately 1,240bn FCFA (€1.89bn) gross this year. No start date has been announced for formal negotiations, and the size, duration and terms of any loan remain undecided.
Source: APA News, Independence Day address by the transition president, 22 Sept 2026 (as reported by APA), 2026; International Monetary Fund, IMF Country Report No. 26/165, Second Review under the SMP, 2026 and 2025; APA News, AfDB Mali country report 2026, 15 Sept 2026 (as reported by APA, 22 Sept 2026), 2026; African Development Bank, AfDB, Perspectives économiques au Mali (country page), 2025; APA News, 'Le Mali lève 33 milliards FCFA sur le marché régional', 14 Oct 2026 (based on UMOA-Titres results), January 1–October 14, 2026