In his role as the President of the Council of Ministers of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), Minister Radegonde delivered a keynote address at the IOC’s side event, at the SIDS4 conference. This event focused on addressing health and climate risks prevalent in Western Indian Ocean Island States. Minister Radegonde highlighted the implications of climate change, emphasising its dual threat to the planet and public health.

His address underscored the importance of adopting a comprehensive approach to safeguarding human and ecosystem well-being, with a specific emphasis on the WHO One Health concept. This approach offers a unified framework to address the interconnected challenges posed by climate change and health risks.

Minister Radegonde also took the opportunity to share the IOC’s efforts in promoting regional health initiatives, notably through the ‘Sega One Health’ project – an initiative that centers on epidemiological surveillance and alerts.

Furthermore, Minister Joubert, also in attendance, contributed to the event’s discourse by participating in a panel discussion focused on accelerating the implementation of ABAS (A Renewed Declaration for Resilient Prosperity).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism – Foreign Affairs Department, Republic of Seychelles.

The ECOWAS Gender Development Centre (EGDC) is organising from 04 to 08 June 2024 in Saly – Portudal in the Republic of Senegal, the 2nd edition of the meeting of the regional coordination committees of the centre’s flagship programmes implemented in the 15 ECOWAS Member States. The aim of the meeting is to share information on the state of implementation of the programmes and to formulate strong recommendations to improve their execution.

Key players and experts working in the fields of education, health and women’s entrepreneurship from the Member States, the ECOWAS Commission and Agencies are meeting to discuss the technical and financial management of the EGDC’s flagship programmes, while defining the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder. The discussions will focus in particular on: the Medical and Financial Support Programme for women and girls suffering from obstetric fistula in the Member States, the Support Programme for the Promotion of Young Girls in the Specialised Technical and Vocational Training Sector through the provision of Excellence Scholarships, and the Support Programme for Women Working in the Processing of Agricultural, Fishery and Handicraft Products in ECOWAS Member States.

Aware of the role of promoting gender equality and the economic and social empowerment of women and girls on economic growth and sustainable human development in the sub-region, since 2010 the EGDC has set up three programmes covering the priority areas of health, education and women’s entrepreneurship.

In view of the weaknesses observed in implementation at both Member State and ECOWAS level, the EGDC has deemed it useful to organise a coordination meeting of these various committees, extended to the ECOWAS national offices and the ECOWAS Permanent Representations in the countries.  The aim is to discuss in particular the results of the audit report on the scholarship programme and the responses provided, and the technical and financial management arrangements for the various programmes, while defining the roles and responsibilities of each entity, namely the EGDC, the Focal Points, the National Offices and the Permanent Representations.

This meeting in Saly should lead to the establishment of stronger and more appropriate strategies to improve the implementation of the CCDG’s flagship programmes in the Member States.

Participants at the meeting come from the Office of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, the Office of the Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, the Human Development and Social Affairs Department of the ECOWAS Commission, the Legal Affairs Directorate of the ECOWAS Commission, technical agencies such as RAAF and ECREEE, and the Commission’s Trade and Transport Directorates.

The meeting will also be attended by members of the Regional Coordinating Committees for the 3 EGDC flagship programmes (Fistula, Scholarships and Transformation), ECOWAS Permanent Representations in the Member States, ECOWAS National Offices, EGDC Gender Focal Points, GIABA, technical and financial partners, experts and the EGDC.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

IMF Staff and Nigerien Authorities have reached an agreement at the staff level on the fourth and fifth reviews of Niger’s economic program under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) and the first review under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF); The economic outlook is promising over the near and medium term, with growth projected at 10.6 percent this year, driven by oil exports and the lifting of sanctions. But this positive outlook is subject to downside risks, in particular those linked to the security situation and vulnerabilities to climate shocks; Measures to enhance domestic revenue mobilization are crucial to increase fiscal space for priority social and security spending. In that context, the authorities’ ongoing efforts to simplify the tax system and adopt an oil revenue management strategy aiming at insulating the budget from fluctuations in international oil prices are key reforms.

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff team led by Mr. Antonio David held meetings from May 20 to June 1, 2024, on the fourth and fifth reviews of the arrangement with Niger supported by the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) and the first review of the arrangement under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).

At the end of the mission, Mr. David issued the following statement:

“The Nigerien authorities and the IMF team reached a staff-level agreement on the fourth and fifth reviews of Niger’s economic program under the Extended Credit Facility and on the first review of the arrangement under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility. The staff-level agreement is subject to IMF Management and Executive Board approval. The Board meeting is expected to take place in July 2024. The ECF reviews’ completion would allow the disbursement of SDR 19.7 million (about US$ 26.1 million, or 15 percent of Niger’s quota) to cover external financing needs. In turn, completion of the first review of the RSF would allow for the disbursement of SDR 34.2 million (about US$ 45.3 million, or 26 percent of Niger’s quota).

“Growth is estimated to have decelerated to 2.4 percent in 2023, mainly because of the effects of sanctions and a relatively unfavorable agriculture season. The economic outlook is promising over the near and medium term, despite the uncertainty over the economic effects of the decision to leave ECOWAS. Real GDP growth is projected at 10.6 percent in 2024 due to the start of oil exports and ensuing spillover effects across the economy, the lifting of sanctions, as well as increased production in the agricultural sector. The last two factors should also help to contain inflationary pressures in 2024. Nevertheless, this positive outlook is subject to downside risks, in particular those linked to the security situation and vulnerabilities to climate shocks.

“The fiscal deficit outturn for 2023, at 5.4 percent of GDP, was marginally higher than programmed in part due to revenue shortfalls. Going forward, the deficit trajectory is calibrated to adhere to the authorities’ commitment to reach the WAEMU regional convergence criterion of 3 percent GDP by 2025. As a result of the sanctions imposed after the military takeover, Niger incurred external and domestic debt service arrears. The Nigerien authorities are pursuing commendable efforts to fully clear these overdue obligations.

“The arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility aims to reinforce macroeconomic stability and lay the foundations for resilient, inclusive, and private sector-led growth. Program performance was mixed. Most quantitative objectives at end-June, end-December 2023, and end-March 2024 were met, despite the difficult context faced by Niger last year. But some structural benchmarks under the program were not met, while others were implemented with delays.

“Measures to enhance domestic revenue mobilization are crucial to increase fiscal space for priority social and security spending. In that context, the authorities’ ongoing efforts to simplify the tax system, promote the digitalization of revenue administration, and adopt an oil revenue management strategy aiming at insulating the budget from fluctuations in international oil prices are key reforms. In addition, boosting the quality and efficiency of government spending is needed to improve the delivery of public services.

“The Nigerien authorities are cognizant that private sector development is vital to expedite and sustain the economic recovery and are pursuing efforts to enhance the investment climate. The authorities have restructured the country’s anti-corruption institutional framework with the creation of the Commission against Economic, Financial and Fiscal Crimes (CoLDEFF). The authorities should continue to make progress on the governance agenda, including by strengthening the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism framework.

“RSF financing supports efforts to advance reforms and investments to address rising risks and challenges associated with climate change, thereby building resilience and safeguarding livelihoods. The Nigerien authorities made significant progress in implementing reforms aiming at enhancing the management of risks linked to natural disasters (including fiscal risks) as well as promoting renewable energy sources.

“The mission met his Excellency Prime Minister and Minister of the Economy and Finance, Mr. Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Nigeriens Abroad, Mr. Bakary Yaou Sangare. The mission also held working sessions with the Deputy Minister of the Economy and Finance, Mr. Moumouni Boubacar Saidou, the National Director of the BCEAO, Mr. Maman Laouali Abdou Rafa, as well as other senior government officials, private sector representatives, and development partners.

“The team would like to thank the authorities for their cooperation, and for the constructive and productive discussions.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Monetary Fund (IMF).