Senegal and the International Monetary Fund have reached a staff level agreement on a new $2.2 billion, 36 month financing programme aimed at restoring debt sustainability and supporting economic reforms, the IMF said Tuesday.
The proposed arrangement, under the IMF’s Extended Credit Facility, would provide about $2.2 billion, equivalent to 475 percent of Senegal’s IMF quota, to support the government’s economic and financial reform programme for 2026 to 2029. The agreement remains subject to approval by the IMF’s management and Executive Board.
The programme comes after the IMF suspended a previous $1.8 billion financing arrangement in 2024 following the discovery of previously unreported public debt. Subsequent audits and reviews found significant discrepancies between previously reported fiscal figures and the country’s actual debt and budget position.
Under the new programme, Senegal will be required to implement corrective measures addressing the earlier misreporting of financial data. The IMF said these measures are necessary to support the government’s request for a waiver in connection with the misreporting case before the new programme can receive final approval. Senegal must also secure financing assurances from its development partners.
The reform programme is designed to restore macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability, reduce fiscal and external vulnerabilities, strengthen public finances and increase social spending. The IMF also said the programme would support improvements in the business environment and promote financial inclusion and private sector led growth.
Senegal’s debt position remains a major concern. Public sector debt was estimated at 132 percent of gross domestic product at the end of 2024, according to the IMF. However, the country’s fiscal deficit narrowed from 13.4 percent of GDP in 2024 to 6.4 percent in 2025, largely reflecting efforts to rationalise government spending.
The IMF said Senegal’s economy has remained resilient, with real GDP growth reaching 6.7 percent in 2025 as oil production entered its first full year. Growth outside the hydrocarbon sector was weaker at 2.2 percent, although non hydrocarbon growth rebounded to 4.7 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2026.
The agreement also involves a plan for debt treatment. Senegal’s finance ministry said it intends to use an enhanced G20 Common Framework to help restore debt sustainability. IMF officials have said debt treatment will be necessary to place the country’s public finances on a more sustainable path.
The new financing could also help Senegal unlock additional support from international development institutions. The IMF said its programme is expected to help catalyse financing from the World Bank, the African Development Bank and other development partners.
The agreement nevertheless comes at a difficult time for Senegal’s public finances and financial markets. The country’s bonds fell to record lows following the announcement, with all of its international bonds trading below 50 cents on the dollar or euro, according to Reuters. Moody’s also recently downgraded Senegal’s long term foreign currency debt rating to Caa2 from Caa1.
For Senegal, the proposed IMF programme represents a renewed effort to rebuild fiscal credibility while maintaining spending on vulnerable households and essential development priorities. Its success will depend on the government’s ability to implement the agreed reforms, improve financial transparency and manage its debt burden without undermining economic growth or social protection.
The final decision now rests with the IMF Executive Board, which must approve the proposed arrangement before financing under the new programme can be released.
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