Senegal negotiates new IMF programme amid debt data overhaul

Finance Minister Cheikh Diba told parliament that Senegal’s talks with the International Monetary Fund have been delayed because previous governments supplied inaccurate fiscal data. The IMF now requires a thorough audit before any new programme can be approved.

The minister said Senegal will not pursue a debt restructuring, arguing that the existing debt‑treatment plan can meet the Fund’s targets at a lower cost. He stressed a “prudent” approach to public‑debt management and announced diversification of financing sources to fund economic transformation.

During the budget‑orientation debate, Diba set a deadline of 15 July for concluding a new IMF agreement and outlined steps such as establishing a dedicated debt‑management agency and finalising budget allocations for ministries by early July.

Parliamentarians pressed for greater transparency, demanding the publication of the Forvis Mazars audit report and clarification on political funds and any hidden debt. The government reaffirmed its commitment to fiscal transparency and to restoring market confidence.