CALL FOR PAPERS - 2018 ANNUAL RESEARCH AND POLICY SEMINAR

MEFMI invites interested experts to submit proposals for policy-oriented discussion papers on diverse topics around the Institute’s key priority areas of Macroeconomic Management, Financial Sector Management and Sovereign Debt Management for the 2018 Annual Research and Policy Seminar scheduled for November in Harare, Zimbabwe. While experts are free to suggest their topics, the proposed Papers should fall largely within the following main priority themes:

1. Role of Sovereign Wealth Funds in Africa’s Growth;
2. Formalising the Informal Sector: Issues and Solutions in Africa;
3. Trade Policy and Innovations in the Global Value Chain;
4. Gender-Responsive Economic Policy Management; and
5. Managing Public Debt in a Volatile Global Environment.

VACANCY - PROGRAMME MANAGER - DEBT MANAGEMENT POLICIES AND STRATEGIES

Applications are invited from suitably qualified nationals of member countries to fill the following position:

REF: 042018PM - PROGRAMME MANAGER - DEBT MANAGEMENT POLICIES AND STRATEGIES
For details and how to apply, kindly visit Skills Map Africa on the following link https://mefmi.jb.skillsmapafrica.com

E-Learning Course: Introduction to Monetary Policy Formulation and Analysis

We are pleased to announce an upcoming MEFMI E-Learning Course: Introduction to Monetary Policy Formulation and Analysis

Background
Monetary policy formulation and analysis is important in economic management, stabilization and the adjustment process in developing countries, where low inflation and international competitiveness have become major policy targets. Therefore, the complexity and the uniqueness of the MEFMI economies provides a challenge to develop monetary policies that are not only relevant, but are forward looking and responsive to the needs of the population.

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MEFMI / World Bank Mission Assists Moçambique Develop a Five-year Debt Management Strategy

The debt relief initiatives of the late 1990s and early 2000s significantly reduced the debt burden on many countries in the MEFMI region, including Mozambique. The 1996 Heavily Indebted Poor Countries initiative (HIPC), its 1999 enhancement, and the 2006 Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI) reduced countries’ debt burden and improved their solvency. This, however, created additional space for new borrowing, including opportunities to access external non-concessional sources to finance development priorities. As a result, there has been a significant increase in public debt levels of most sub-Saharan African countries, including Mozambique, since 2012. Looking ahead, the financing requirements for the government of Mozambique are significant, as the country looks to developing the liquified natural gas sector and other priority investment projects.

Tanzania Committed to Keep Public Debt at Sustainable Levels

Tanzania’s macroeconomic performance has remained strong in the last decade, registering real GDP growth rates consistently above 5 percent since 2007, making the country one of the fastest growing economies in Sub-Saharan Africa. Prospects remain favorable in the medium-term, with real growth projected to stabilize around 7 percent, supported by public sector investments in infrastructure, particularly those relating to transport and energy sectors. The discovery of natural gas, currently estimated to exceed 50 trillion cubic feet, and subsequent prospects for further gas related infrastructure investments, including gas processing plants as well as gas fired power plants are expected to significantly boost the country’s growth prospects.

MEFMI / World Bank / IMF Hold Regional Workshop to Disseminate Revised LIC DSF

The Debt Sustainability Framework for Low-Income (LIC DSF) was developed jointly by the World Bank and the IMF in 2005 as a tool for assessing the risks to public debt sustainability, as well as guiding countries’ borrowing and creditors’ lending decisions. Several developments have, however, occurred since the tool was developed, resulting in significant gaps. For example, major shifts in the international development financing landscape have created new opportunities and options for countries to access alternative mechanisms for financing development beyond the traditional sources. These include non-traditional bilateral partners, as well as other less concessional flows.

MEFMI Holds Zimbabwe In-country Workshop on Grants and Loans Negotiation

The accumulation of arrears on Zimbabwe’s external debt since the year 2000 has limited the country's access to foreign loans on favourable terms. In addition, budgetary support through grants has also dwindled over the years. Donor support through grants has been channeled outside of the budget system, thus making it difficult for Government to account for or direct the funds to critical activities.

Recognising the importance of external financing in supporting development, the Government of Zimbabwe has stepped up the re-engagement process with an aim to clear external debt arrears.

MEFMI Conducts In-country Workshop for Zimbabwe Ministry of Finance and Economic Development on Intermediate Macroeconomic Modelling and Forecasting

The Macroeconomic Management Programme (MMP) conducted an In-country capacity building workshop on “Intermediate macroeconomic modelling and forecasting for officials of the Zimbabwe Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MoFED).  This was a follow up to a workshop on “Introduction to Macroeconomic Modelling and Forecasting” that was held for the Ministry in October 2017.