IMF team concludes review mission on Rwanda’s PSI-supported program

The current PSI-supported program expires in December, and the intention is to initiate successor program negotiations in early 2019.

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff team, led by Emre Alper and Laure Redifer, visited Kigali from September 20 to October 2 to conduct discussions on the tenth and final review of Rwanda's PSI-supported program.

Mr Alper and Ms Redifer issued the following statement at the end of the visit:

"The IMF staff team reached a preliminary agreement with the government, subject to approval by IMF management and its Executive Board, on policies that could support the completion of the tenth and final review of Rwanda's PSI-supported program. The Executive Board is expected to consider the review in November 2018.

"After rising to 6.1 per cent in 2017, real GDP growth averaged 8.6 per cent in the first half of 2018, consistent with the projected end-year growth rate of 7.2 per cent in 2018. Robust growth in 2018 reflects strong industrial activity, notably construction. Inflation remains low, in part reflecting favourable food price developments, and is projected to average around 2.8 per cent in 2018. With inflation expectations remaining close to the medium-term inflation target, the central bank kept the monetary policy stance unchanged in September, maintaining the policy rate at 5.5 per cent through 2018.

"The fiscal outturn in FY17/18 remained broadly in line with the revised budget. Higher capital spending was financed through the drawdown of deposits of official development assistance, accumulated in previous years. These projects include improvements to rural road access and vocational training in line with the National Strategy for Transformation. Fiscal restraint on recurrent spending and a robust revenue outturn have helped to contain the deficit.

"Rwanda's external buffers remain strong. The authorities have undertaken policies to improve Rwanda's competitiveness, diversify production, promote exports, and contain imports. With the export growth of 17.9 per cent in the year to August 2018 and import growth of 7.4 per cent, the trade balance has continued to improve. While export growth is expected to remain robust, the construction of Bugesera airport and a pickup in foreign-financed investment are expected to fuel imports, notably of capital goods, and is expected to lead to a rise in the trade deficit in 2018. Nonetheless, project disbursements and robust foreign direct investment are expected to maintain the balance of payments in surplus and support central bank reserve accumulation.

"The medium-term macroeconomic outlook remains favourable. Real GDP growth is expected to remain strong, supported by continued diversification of the export base, public investment spending to crowd in private sector investment, and more resilient agriculture as a result of extensive irrigation programs. Inflation is expected to remain within the central bank's target range. The fiscal and external positions continue to be supported by the authorities' prudent policies including continued exchange rate flexibility.

"Implementation of Rwanda's PSI-supported macroeconomic program has been strong. All quantitative targets for the tenth and last review were met, and structural benchmarks are expected to be completed. The PSI-supported program has been successful in supporting Rwanda's overarching objective of sustaining inclusive growth and poverty reduction. Domestic resource mobilization and public financial management reforms have made Rwanda's fiscal position more sustainable while scaling up social spending. Reforms to the monetary policy framework and in the financial system have helped to contain inflation while deepening financial markets. Other structural reforms and greater exchange rate flexibility have made Rwanda more resilient to external shocks, and have enhanced Rwanda's competitiveness.

"After 5-years of strong performance, Rwanda's PSI-supported program expires on December 1, 2018. The intention is to initiate successor program negotiations in early 2019.

"The IMF staff team met with Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Uzziel Ndagijimana; Minister of Trade and Industry, Vincent Munyeshyaka; Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Gerardine Mukeshimana; Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda, John Rwangombwa; and other senior government officials, private sector and civil society representatives, and development partners. The team thanks all partners for their generous time and candid discussions."