Senegal budget impasse weakens IMF programme timetable
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Dakaractu
After the 2026 supplementary budget was rejected in plenary and the 2027 draft budget was rejected by the finance committee, the timetable for the IMF-supported programme is weakening in Senegal. The Fund’s communications director, Julie Kozack, recalled in Washington that Senegalese institutions retain their budgetary powers, with the IMF presenting itself as a technical partner, according to L’Observateur cited by Dakaractu.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is following budget debates in Senegal and expects the authorities to establish a framework allowing them to implement the commitments agreed under the programme negotiated with Dakar, Dakaractu reports. The institution believes the outcome of parliamentary discussions affects the timetable for implementing the programme and any disbursements.
The draft supplementary finance bill for 2026 was rejected in plenary, while the initial 2027 budget bill was rejected by the Finance and Budgetary Control Committee, Dakaractu reports. According to the daily, budget figures must remain consistent with the negotiated targets for controlling the deficit and debt to allow the agreement reached at IMF staff level to move to approval by its Executive Board.
The supplementary budget had already been rejected on 3 November, while the Finance Committee rejected the 2027 budget on 7 November. The IMF said on 12 November that it respected Senegal’s budgetary choices, according to The IMF respects Senegal’s budgetary choices.
