Senegal’s public debt director Alioune Diouf has stated that the country’s debt figures are now “fully transparent” and fully aligned with those of the International Monetary Fund, following a period of scrutiny triggered by previously unreported liabilities.
The reassessment comes after audits covering several years uncovered gaps in earlier reporting, which led the IMF to suspend a $1.8 billion programme. According to Diouf, both parties are now working with identical data on debt levels and fiscal balances, marking a step toward restoring credibility in Senegal’s financial management.
Authorities highlight improved transparency measures, including expanded quarterly budget reports, a dedicated debt statistical bulletin, and compliance with IMF data standards. However, some financing operations—particularly those linked to derivatives—remain aggregated within overall issuance data, making them less visible individually.
On risk exposure, Diouf emphasized that such instruments are tied to domestic government securities and structured to minimize financial volatility. He argued that fluctuations in market yields would not trigger margin calls, describing the associated risks as “almost nonexistent.”
Addressing concerns over delayed payments, he maintained that Senegal has not exceeded grace periods with creditors, framing identified liabilities as previously unrecorded debt rather than arrears. The government has since converted some obligations into tradable securities as part of a broader debt management strategy.
With limited access to international markets, Senegal has increasingly relied on regional financing mechanisms. Discussions with the IMF remain ongoing, as both sides work toward a revised programme while assessing the country’s long-term debt sustainability.
Source: TRT Africa
