Mozambique hopes IMF visit paves way for new loan programme

MAPUTO, Sept 18 (Reuters) - Mozambique's finance ministry said on Friday that the International Monetary Fund had concluded a mission and expressed hope that the visit would pave the way for a new support programme.

The ministry said in a statement that ⁠there could be a follow-up mission, possibly in November, to discuss programme conditions and targets.

The resource-rich Southern African nation's previous IMF programme ended early in April 2025, with talks for a new deal expected to hinge on economic reforms.

One of the country's most pressing challenges remains its heavy ⁠debt burden, which a World Bank and International Monetary Fund debt sustainability analysis has deemed unsustainable.

Its debt problems date back to a 2016 hidden-debt scandal, which wrecked ⁠investor confidence and curbed access to funding.

Delays to major natural gas projects that had been expected to boost ⁠exports, revenue and government finances have made matters worse.

Earlier this year, Mozambique cleared its arrears ⁠to the IMF, a move analysts said would strengthen its case for fresh funding.

Reporting by Custodio Cossa; Writing by Sfundo Parakozov; Editing by Alexander Winning

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