Africa-Press – Uganda. Uganda has stepped up its engagement with global financial institutions as it seeks to secure fresh financing and reinforce macroeconomic stability, with a high-level delegation led by State Minister for Finance (General Duties), Henry Musasizi, participating in the 2026 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Washington D.C.
The meetings, running from April 13 to 18, have convened policymakers, government leaders, private sector executives and development partners under the theme, “Building Prosperity through Policy.”
The gathering comes at a critical time when economies, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, are grappling with slowing growth, rising debt burdens and external shocks.
Uganda’s delegation is leveraging the platform to advance strategic financing discussions aimed at sustaining the country’s growth trajectory.
According to the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, Ramathan Ggoobi, government’s immediate priority is to negotiate a new Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme with the IMF.
“Our focus this year will be on advancing negotiations for a new Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme with the IMF, and also negotiating for more concessional financing from the World Bank for our transformative projects and for financing the national budget through Development Policy Operations,” Ggoobi said.
The anticipated ECF programme is expected to provide Uganda with low-cost, long-term financing to support fiscal consolidation, strengthen foreign exchange reserves and enhance investor confidence.
In parallel, concessional funding from the World Bank will be critical in bridging financing gaps for infrastructure and socio-economic development programmes, particularly in energy, water, agriculture, health and digital transformation.
The Ugandan delegation also includes Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka and Bank of Uganda Governor Michael Atingi-Ego, underscoring the country’s coordinated approach to fiscal, legal and monetary policy engagement at the global level.
Beyond formal negotiations, Uganda is positioning itself as an investment destination through participation in the second US–Uganda Business and Investment Forum.
The delegation is also scheduled to meet officials from the US administration, the World Bank Vice President for the Africa Region, and IMF Africa Department Director Abebe Selassie.
Additionally, Uganda will participate in the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action, reflecting growing emphasis on climate financing and resilience as integral components of economic planning.
Deliberations at the Spring Meetings are expected to focus on how policy reforms, innovation and targeted investments can unlock private sector growth, create jobs and drive sustainable development.
Leaders are particularly examining practical pathways to accelerate productivity and structural transformation while expanding economic opportunities.
However, the global outlook remains uncertain. According to the April 2026 Africa Economic Update released by the World Bank, Sub-Saharan Africa’s recovery from successive global shocks is losing momentum, with growth projections for 2026 revised downwards.
The report highlights geopolitical tensions, including spillovers from conflicts, elevated debt servicing costs and persistent structural weaknesses as key constraints to growth.
For Uganda, outcomes from the Spring Meetings could prove pivotal in shaping its medium-term fiscal strategy, unlocking affordable financing and reinforcing investor confidence at a time when external vulnerabilities continue to test emerging and developing economies.
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