IMF Managing Director visits Africa, sees window for countries to move ahead with development

• Pages: 225-226

Page 225

During July 2–8, in his first visit to sub-Saharan Africa since taking office, IMF Managing Director Horst Köhler met with government authorities and representatives of civil society in Nigeria, Senegal, Mozambique, Botswana, and South Africa. The purpose of his visit was, first, to hear from the authorities on the economic situations and challenges facing their countries and, second, to listen to the views of African leaders on the IMF’s role and its involvement in restructuring African economies. In his meetings, he emphasized that there is today a single integrated world economy and the development of Africa is an essential component in ensuring its health. At the same time, he agreed with the African leaders he met that the IMF should stay fully engaged in Africa and should not succumb to any mood of “Afro-pessimism.”

Following a meeting with Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo at the beginning of his African visit, Köhler said they had “good and constructive talks” on future IMF financial support for an economic program in Nigeria. He added that debt relief should be only one element of a comprehensive strategy to strengthen growth in the country. Nigeria has the potential for medium-term growth of 5–10 percent a year, he said, but what the country needs first and foremost is growth and investment in education, infrastructure, and institution building.

During his visit to Dakar on July 3, Köhler addressed Senegal’s Economic and Social Council at a meeting that included representatives of the country’s private business sector, labor movement, rural associations, and nongovernmental organizations. He also met with Charles Konan Banny, the Governor of the BCEAO (the Central Bank of West African States), and Abdoulaye Wade, the President of Senegal. In his remarks to the council, Köhler said that he is open to advice from both governments and civil society on how the IMF can bestPage 226 support development. He commented that reform of the IMF is being discussed within...