International Monetary Fund

Yesterday, the IMF Executive Board completed the 1st review of Ukraine’s 48-month Extended Fund Facility arrangement, enabling an immediate disbursement of SDR 503 million, about US$690 million. The Board also concluded the 2026 Article IV Consultation.

Ukraine has maintained macroeconomic and financial stability despite Russia’s continuing war and a more challenging external environment. Prudent policymaking, strong engagement under the Fund-supported program, and substantial donor support have helped preserve stability, while program performance has been broadly satisfactory.

The Article IV Consultation focused on policies to preserve macroeconomic stability and support Ukraine’s transition toward a more dynamic, market-based economy aligned with EU accession objectives. Key priorities include strengthening domestic revenue mobilization, improving the investment climate, enhancing governance and anti-corruption institutions, advancing state-owned enterprise reforms, and supporting long-term growth.

Learn more: https://www.imf.org/en/news/articles/2026/07/20/pr26254-ukraine-imf-completes-1st-review-of-eff-arrangement-concludes-2026-aiv-consultation

The French economy has remained resilient but faces a more challenging environment as headwinds from the Middle East war have started to weigh on activity and higher energy prices have pushed up inflation.

Amid high fiscal deficits, modest growth, and rising spending pressures, the upcoming electoral cycle provides an important opportunity for France to articulate a well-defined multi-year strategy to unlock its growth potential and support fiscal consolidation.

Find out more in the newly released IMF Staff Report for the 2026 Article IV Consultation with France: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/cr/issues/2026/07/21/france-2026-article-iv-consultation-press-release-staff-report-and-statement-by-the-577911

Can AI help Africa grow faster? New IMF analysis suggests it can—but only if countries build the right foundations now.

AI has the potential to boost productivity across the economy, helping farmers improve yields, supporting learning in schools, strengthening healthcare, and helping governments mobilize revenue more effectively.

But without reliable electricity, affordable internet, stronger digital skills, and trusted safeguards, the region risks missing out on many of the gains.

Read more in our latest Country Focus blog. https://www.imf.org/en/news/articles/2026/07/21/cf-africa-can-grow-faster-with-ai-if-it-moves-now

Sovereign wealth funds have become major forces in global finance, managing more than $16 trillion in assets and taking on broader roles from stabilization to development. As their mandates expand, clear legal frameworks are essential. Strong laws can anchor governance, clarify objectives, and strengthen accountability. https://www.imf.org/en/blogs/articles/2026/07/21/sovereign-wealth-funds-need-legal-clarity-as-their-scale-and-mandates-expand

New IMF paper reveals that AI could help sub-Saharan Africa unlock gains across agriculture, health, education, financial inclusion, public services, and climate resilience.

But turning this potential into broad-based benefits will require deliberate policy action, focused on enabling adoption, expanding access beyond early movers, and putting the right safeguards in place. https://www.imf.org/en/publications/departmental-papers-policy-papers/issues/2026/07/13/unlocking-the-potential-ai-in-sub-saharan-africa-576489

How can big data and AI help us better understand and measure the economy?

The IMF is now accepting proposals for the 14th IMF Statistical Forum, which will bring together researchers, policymakers, national statistical offices, central banks, international organizations, and private-sector experts to discuss the future of economic measurement.

Topics of interest include new data sources, AI-enabled methods, real-time indicators, data quality and transparency, the evolving statistical ecosystem, broader policy options, and practical lessons for integrating big data and AI into statistical production.

The Forum will take place in Washington, D.C., on November 18–19, 2026.

Submit your abstract by July 24, 2026. https://www.imf.org/en/news/seminars/conferences/2026/11/18/14th-imf-statistical-forum

What if one of Europe's biggest growth challenges isn't innovation, but financing innovation? Fragmented financial markets make it harder for promising firms to scale. Integrating banking and venture capital markets could unlock sizeable growth. Read more: https://www.imf.org/en/blogs/articles/2026/07/14/financial-market-reforms-could-lift-europes-growth

For India and other middle powers, the challenge is to turn fragmentation into an opportunity for leadership and cooperation, N. K. Singh writes in F&D magazine.

Read the full article to explore how these countries can help bridge divides and foster global cooperation.

https://www.imf.org/en/publications/fandd/issues/2026/06/point-of-view-the-middle-power-moment-n-k-singh

The global economic outlook is being shaped by the negative supply shock from the war in the Middle East and positive demand momentum from the global tech cycle thanks to advances in AI.

Energy exporters outside the conflict zone are benefiting from favorable terms of trade, while economies integrated into tech supply chains see stronger growth, even if they are energy importers.

By contrast, energy importers with limited participation in the tech value chain, including many low‑income countries, face weaker activity.

With risks more balanced than in April but still tilted to the downside, policymakers must preserve price stability, ensure fiscal support is well-targeted, rebuild buffers, advance energy security and AI readiness, and strengthen international cooperation. https://www.imf.org/en/publications/weo/issues/2026/07/08/world-economic-outlook-update-july-2026?cid=sm-com-fb-WEOET2026004

The global oil market absorbed a major disruption after the Strait of Hormuz closed, cutting off a fifth of global supply.

Prices stabilized as demand declined, production outside the Gulf increased, and inventories were drawn down. But buffers are now smaller. Spare capacity has been put to work and inventories have fallen, leaving the system more exposed to future shocks.

See our new blog for more. https://www.imf.org/en/blogs/articles/2026/07/14/the-oil-market-absorbed-the-war-shock-but-buffers-are-running-low