The executive board of the International Monetary Fund has completed the ninth review of the 60-month Extended Credit Facility arrangement for Niger.

The board’s decision allows for the immediate disbursement of about $33 million, bringing total disbursements under the arrangement to about $342 million.

Niger’s ECF arrangement was approved on December 8, 2021, and was gradually extended through December 2026 to allow for sufficient time to implement key structural reforms.

Program performance was generally strong. All periodic quantitative performance criteria were met at end-December 2025, and all continuous PCs were met since completion of the eighth review.

Most indicative targets were met, the IMF said. The authorities also made notable progress on the structural reform agenda and remain committed to continued reform implementation to achieve the program’s objectives.

Following the executive board discussion, Kenji Okamura, the deputy managing director and chair of the board, stated that Niger’s economy demonstrated resilience in 2025 despite a challenging environment.

“The near- and medium-term outlooks remain favorable, supported by the extractive and agricultural sectors. Nevertheless, risks remain tilted to the downside, including heightened security threats, commodity price volatility, tight regional and global financing conditions, a further decline in donor funding, and the border closure with Benin.

“Reform implementation under the ECF-supported program continues. Sustained fiscal consolidation efforts are supporting macroeconomic stability. The expected higher oil revenue in 2026 will be used to lower the fiscal deficit and meet urgent social and food security needs. Sustained efforts in domestic revenue mobilization will help create fiscal space for development spending.

“Maintaining a prudent debt management and arrears prevention policy remains paramount. The authorities are committed to clear all external arrears by end-2026 and to mitigate the risk of future arrears accumulation by further strengthening treasury and debt management,” Mr Okamura explained.

The official noted that it is important to “decisively” address financial sector vulnerabilities, including by undertaking a comprehensive diagnostic of the banking sector and developing a roadmap.

Mr Okamura added, “Strengthening banks’ balance sheets, easing liquidity constraints, and expediting the restructuring of the microfinance sector would support private-sector credit.

“Decisive reforms to strengthen governance and anti-corruption frameworks will support public trust, ensure more effective and transparent use of public resources, preserve external financial support, and stimulate private-sector-led, inclusive growth. Completing the asset declaration framework reform as well as publishing the Governance Diagnostic Assessment report, once finalised, and adopting a time-bound action plan to implement its recommendations will be important steps.”