The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board on February 18, 2026, completed the fourth review of Burkina Faso’s 48-month Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement, unlocking an immediate disbursement of about US$33.2 million.
This brings the total IMF financial support under the ECF arrangement to approximately US$165.8 million since its approval on September 21, 2023. Simultaneously, the Board approved a new Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) arrangement worth US$124.3 million, set to run through September 20, 2027, aimed at strengthening fiscal resilience and climate adaptation.
Despite ongoing security challenges, poverty, and climate shocks, Burkina Faso’s economic outlook for 2026–28 remains positive. Real GDP growth accelerated to 5.0 percent in 2025, up from 4.8 percent in 2024, supported by artisanal mining responses to higher gold prices and mining sector reforms.
Inflation slowed to -0.5 percent in 2025, driven by lower food prices, and is expected to converge to 2.0 percent over the medium term, while fiscal consolidation, agricultural investment, and rising gold revenues bolster economic stability.
The external sector has strengthened, reflecting higher net exports and improved terms of trade. The current account is projected to move from a deficit of 3.4 percent of GDP in 2024 to surpluses of 1.1 percent in 2025 and 0.8 percent in 2026, supported by high gold prices. Import trends indicate rising equipment purchases for mining, while energy imports remain contained amid a stable oil price environment.
Under the ECF program, Burkina Faso met nearly all quantitative targets and structural benchmarks, with minor misses swiftly addressed.
Authorities implemented key prior actions to enhance governance, including measures stemming from the Governance Diagnostic Assessment (GDA), with six of eleven priority recommendations already executed. The overall program performance demonstrates a strong commitment to sound economic management and transparency.