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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Thursday announced it had reached an agreement with the government of Rwanda on a new $250 million programme spanning 38 months to support economic reforms.
The Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement still requires approval from the IMF’s executive board, which is expected to consider it in June.
“The ECF arrangement aims to sustain reform momentum, support sound macroeconomic adjustment, and rebuild policy buffers, while effectively managing the impacts of the war in the Middle East,” said Touna Mama, IMF mission chief for Rwanda.
According to the statement, the programme will focus on three key areas: strengthening macroeconomic policy, managing fiscal and debt-related risks to growth, and promoting private sector development.
Rwanda recorded strong economic growth of 9.4 per cent in 2025, but the IMF projects this will slow to 6.8 per cent this year as the Middle East conflict weighs on the country’s economic outlook.
Despite last year’s growth, Rwanda also faced elevated inflation, which stood at 9.2 per cent year-on-year.
The conflict, triggered when the United States and Israel launched military action against Iran on 28 February, has disrupted supply chains and driven up global energy prices.
Earlier in the week, the IMF warned that the war could have serious consequences for low-income countries, particularly across Asia and Africa.
