Zambia is seeking to mobilise development financing, attract productive investment and strengthen international partnerships at the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group, which opened in Bangkok, Thailand, on Monday.
Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, is leading the Zambian delegation at the October 12–18 meetings, which have attracted more than 15,000 delegates, including finance ministers, central bank governors, development institutions and investors.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance and National Planning on Monday, Zambia’s participation comes days after reaching a staff-level agreement with the IMF on a proposed US$1.47 billion, 36-month Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement.
Read more: IMF reaches staff-level agreement on new $1.47 billion programme for Zambia
“The proposed programme, which remains subject to further approvals, is expected to support macroeconomic stability, fiscal and debt sustainability, and private sector-led growth,” the statement said.
The engagements follow the World Bank-supported Lobito Corridor Coordination Meeting held in Lusaka on October 5 and 6, which focused on regional infrastructure and connectivity.
The ministry said Zambia would use the meetings to pursue opportunities in infrastructure development, energy security, trade, enterprise development and employment creation.
The government’s engagements are aligned with the Grow Zambia Agenda, which prioritises increased production, investment, exports, employment and household incomes.
Musokotwane’s programme includes consultations with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and the Fund’s African and Fiscal Affairs departments, as well as participation in the International Monetary and Financial Committee plenary.
Discussions are expected to cover domestic revenue mobilisation, sovereign debt vulnerabilities, borrowing costs and reforms to the international financial architecture, issues that could influence Zambia’s fiscal space and access to development financing.
On the World Bank Group side, the delegation is scheduled to meet President Ajay Banga and regional leadership, while participating in the Development Committee meeting and the International Development Association Forum.
A key priority is to build on the Lobito Corridor initiative involving Zambia, Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo to improve regional transport and energy connectivity and expand trade.
“The delegation will also explore financing opportunities for the Angola-Zambia electricity transmission interconnector, domestic power transmission, roads and border infrastructure, including the Kazungula Bridge Corridor,” the statement said.
Separate engagements with the United States Treasury, development partners and financial institutions, including Standard Bank, Standard Chartered, Citi and J.P. Morgan, will focus on debt management, Zambia’s economic outlook and investment opportunities.
The delegation includes Secretary to the Treasury Felix Nkulukusa, Bank of Zambia Governor Denny Kalyalya, and senior officials from the energy and mining ministries.
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