Burkina Faso’s Prime Minister Questions Impact Of IMF’s Interventions

Burkina Faso’s Prime Minister, Apollinaire de Tambèla, has expressed concerns about the effectiveness of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) interventions in the country.

Speaking to an IMF delegation in Ouagadougou on Wednesday, he acknowledged the IMF’s longstanding relationship with Burkina Faso but questioned why the population remains poor despite various IMF-funded projects.

“Since the independence of Upper Volta (Burkina Faso), the country of honest men has always had good relations with the IMF. However, the population remains poor, despite the intervention of various projects financed by several institutions, including the IMF,” Tambèla said, according to the Prime Minister’s communication services.

“We must therefore question the relevance of the intervention of these institutions in our countries,” he added.

The Prime Minister urged the IMF to focus on initiatives that directly improve the living standards of the most vulnerable populations, particularly in rural areas.

Tambèla also requested IMF support for major infrastructure projects, including a highway and railway connecting Burkina Faso with neighbouring countries and the Noumbiel hydroelectric dam to increase energy capacity.

“The project is huge, and the IMF is expected on this project,” he said.

During the meeting, IMF’s Africa director and head of the IMF delegation, Abebe Selassie, announced the recent approval of a new program to facilitate economic growth and job creation in Burkina Faso. He said the new program will also address the issue of internally displaced persons (IDPs).

“I have come with my team to discuss the concerns that you and your government are facing with you to see to what extent we can help you find solutions,” Selassie stated.

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