Kenya is set to host an International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission this September, combining negotiations for a new programme with the routine Article IV consultations.
Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) Governor Kamau Thugge, during a Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) briefing on Wednesday, August 13, said the government’s preference is for a funded programme to support the country’s economic stability and ongoing reforms.
“With regard to the IMF, we expect an IMF mission to start negotiations on a new program. We expect that the program will, when it goes to the board, be discussed together with the Article IV consultation discussions.
“Our preference will be to have a funded program, and that is what we have expressed to the IMF.”
CBK Governor Thugge Says Kenya Targets Funded IMF Programme
This comes after, in June this year, Thugge disclosed that the government has formally written to the IMF requesting the initiation of talks on a new financial program.
“We are indeed having discussions with the IMF, and the government did send a letter to the IMF requesting to negotiate a new arrangement. We are expecting an IMF team to come in September to start discussions on the Article IV consultation,” said Thugge.
The upcoming engagement is part of the IMF’s regular surveillance process under Article IV of its Articles of Agreement, which involves a comprehensive assessment of a member country’s economic and financial policies.
These consultations also provide policy advice to support macroeconomic stability and growth.
The planned talks further underscore Kenya’s search for new financing options amid growing pressure to manage public debt, stabilize the shilling, and stimulate growth in the face of global economic uncertainty.
Also Read: IMF Announces End of Its Diagnostic Mission in Kenya
Kenya Prepares for IMF Talks as Debt Pressures Mount
Kenya is currently under an Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme with the IMF, which has provided critical support for budgetary needs and economic reforms.
However, the country is now seeking a fresh arrangement as the current programme nears its conclusion.
The September meeting is expected to review Kenya’s recent economic performance, assess fiscal and monetary policies, and potentially pave the way for new financial support or extended arrangements under the IMF framework.
Discussions will focus on fiscal consolidation, debt sustainability, and structural reforms aimed at boosting investor confidence and strengthening the economy.
Kenya faces high public debt and fiscal pressures, making securing IMF support a priority.
Article IV consultations will provide the IMF with a detailed review of Kenya’s macroeconomic performance, including monetary policy, fiscal management, and structural reforms. This assessment will inform the design and terms of any potential new programme.
Also Read: CBK Reveals How Kenyan Banks Shared Ksh260 Billion Profit in 2024
IMF Team June Visit in Kenya
The IMF’s technical assistance mission, led by Rebecca A. Sparkman, was in Nairobi from June 16 to June 30, 2025, to conduct a Governance Diagnostic mission, an intensive review aimed at identifying corruption vulnerabilities and weaknesses in public financial management.
They engaged with the government and non-governmental stakeholders to examine governance weaknesses and corruption vulnerabilities across core state functions as provided by the IMF’s 2018 framework for Enhanced Engagement on Governance.
The audit focused on high-risk areas such as procurement, tax policy, revenue collection, public spending, mining, market regulation, Central Bank operations, financial oversight, and anti-money laundering systems.
Throughout the mission, the team engaged with Kenya’s anti-corruption and oversight institutions to discuss the effectiveness of legal and institutional frameworks in reducing macro-economically critical corruption vulnerabilities.
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