Tunisia among five African countries facing IMF economic consultation delays

Tunisia was flagged among four other African nations by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for prolonged delays in completing their mandatory Article IV consultations.

The other African nations are: Sudan,Eritrea,Liberia,and Senegal,among 13 member states globally.

Article IV consultations are annual economic assessments conducted by IMF staff to evaluate a country’s macroeconomic policies,financial stability,and governance. These reviews are crucial for maintaining access to concessional financing,guiding investor confidence,and supporting debt sustainability efforts.

Tunisia’s delay stands at 39 months. The authorities formally requested a postponement due to domestic political and economic challenges

For Sudan,the last consultation was held in February 2020. The 34-month delay is attributed to ongoing civil conflict and political instability.

Eritrea,for its part,has not engaged with the IMF since July 2019,resulting in a 45-month delay. The reasons are categorized as “miscellaneous,” with no formal explanation provided

Following a change in government,Liberia experienced a 20-month delay. However,an IMF mission was conducted from June 4–17,2025,and board discussions are scheduled for September 8

Added to the list in 2025,Senegal faces an 18-month delay. The IMF suspended its support program after an audit revealed $7 billion in previously undisclosed debt under the administration of former President Macky Sall

The IMF emphasizes that such delays can hinder access to its financial instruments and those of other institutions like the World Bank. They may also complicate debt restructuring efforts and signal broader issues in economic governance. However,the list is not punitive—it serves as a transparency measure and a prompt for re-engagement

Three countries- Egypt,Ethiopia,and Malawi- were removed from the delayed consultations list in 2025 after successfully resuming Article IV engagements.