A Sudanese delegation has engaged officials from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to push for the restoration of full partnership with the World Bank, aiming to secure funding for reconstruction and accelerate debt relief efforts. The talks, held on the sidelines of the IMF-World Bank spring meetings, underscored Sudan’s priority to revive concessional financing for infrastructure and productive sectors.
The World Bank had frozen $1.8 billion in grants following the 2021 military coup, while broader international debt relief efforts—worth about $50 billion under the HIPC initiative—were also suspended. Sudan’s external debt has since risen to $66.8 billion, with a significant portion comprising accumulated interest.
During the meeting over the weekend, Sudanese officials highlighted ongoing economic reforms despite the challenges posed by conflict and reaffirmed commitment to meeting debt relief requirements. The United Kingdom’s representative expressed support for Sudan’s re-engagement with international financial institutions and pledged technical assistance.
The discussions come against a backdrop of severe economic decline, with the United Nations reporting a sharp contraction in GDP and millions pushed into extreme poverty due to the ongoing war.
