Niger: 2022 Article IV Consultation and Second Review under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement, and requests for a Waiver of Non-observance of Performance Criterion and Modification of Performance Criteria-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statem

This paper presents Niger’s 2022 Article IV Consultation, Second Review under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement, and Requests for a Waiver of Non-Observance of Performance Criterion and Modification of Performance Criteria. Niger’s near and medium-term economic outlook remains broadly favorable with growth expected to bounce back this year and accelerate thereafter driven by private investment and oil exports through the new pipeline. Despite an expected rebound in growth this year and acceleration over the near term, Niger continues to face daunting development challenges, while being exposed to a deteriorating security situation in the Sahel and recurrent climate shocks. Program performance has been broadly on track. Overall macroeconomic performance is satisfactory, and the implementation of the structural reform agenda is gaining momentum, including on governance-related issues. Key priorities to build resilience to shocks include improving domestic revenue mobilization and spending quality and creating an enabling environment for economic diversification and private sector development.