IMF Podcasts

Billions of uncollected tax dollars in developing countries could be used to lift more people out of poverty. In this podcast, Eric Postel, USAID's Associate Administrator explains how redoubled efforts to improve tax systems worldwide are making a difference. Postel participated in seminar entitled Collect More & Spend Better at the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings in April. Contributors: Eric Postel, Associate Administrator at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)

If high commodity prices alone drove recent advances in Africa, the prospects for further gains seem dim. But in this podcast, Steven Radelet, says the reality is more complex, and the outlook is more varied than many now suggest. Radelet's article, Africa's Rise- Interrupted? is published in the June 2016 issue of Finance and Development magazine. Contributors: Steven Radelet, holds the Donald F. McHenry Chair in Global Human Development, and is Director of the Global Human Development Program at Georgetown University's Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service.

Slumping Chinese demand has African economies scrambling to find alternate sources of revenue. In this podcast, we speak with Roger Nord, Deputy Director of the African Department in the IMF, and coauthor of A Fork in the Road, published in the June 2016 issue of Finance and Development magazine. Contributors: Roger Nord, IMF Deputy Director, African Department

Of the 5 million people fleeing civil war in Syria, more than a million have ended up in Jordan. The refugee crisis has hit host countries like Jordan hard. Imad Fakhoury, Jordan's minister of planning, joined a seminar about Conflicts and the Refugee Crisis, at the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings. In this podcast, Fakhoury talks about the impacts of the refugee crisis on Jordan. Contributors: Imad Fakhoury, Jordan's Minister of Planning and International Cooperation

As Nigeria's Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun is charged with navigating Africa's largest oil producer through the biggest oil price slump in decades. In this podcast, Adeosun talks about the need to diversify government revenues, and how inclusive growth can stem rising insecurity. Adeosun joined a panel discussion about sub-Saharan Africa during the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings. Contributors: Kemi Adeosun, Nigeria's Finance Minister

La dernière édition des Perspectives économiques régionales,prévoit que l'Afrique subsaharienne va connaître une deuxième annéedifficile à cause des multiples chocs qui frappent la région. Dansce podcast, Céline Allard, chef de la division des étudesrégionales au Département Afrique du FMI, discute les pointsessentiels du rapport.Contributors: Céline Allard, chef de la division des étudesrégionales au Département Afrique du FMI

The IMF's latest regional economic outlook for Sub-SaharanAfrica predicts a second difficult year as the region is hit bymultiple shocks. In this podcast, co-author Céline Allard, says thesteep decline in commodity prices and tighter financing conditionshave put many large economies under severe strain.Contributors: Céline Allard, Head of the Regional StudiesDivision in the IMF's African Department

In this Podcast, we speak with Raghu Rajan, India's central bank governor about the Global Financial Safety Net. Rajan is charged with securing monetary stability in one of the world's largest Emerging Market economies, at a time when others are stumbling in the face of difficult global economic trends. Rajan participated in a seminar entitled Fortifying the Global Financial Safety Net, during the IMF-World Bank Spring meetings. Contributors: Raghuram Rajan, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India

The new World Economic Outlook anticipates a slight acceleration in growth this year, from 3.1 to 3.2 percent, followed by 3.5 percent growth in 2017. But IMF Chief Economist Maurice Obstfeld says projections continue to be progressively less optimistic over time. Contributors: Maurice Obstfeld, IMF Chief Economic Counselor

While many economists would argue public investment projects in highly efficient countries have a greater impact on growth, recent research by some IMF economists shows that’s not necessarily the case. In this podcast we speak with the IMF’s Andy Berg, who suggests the impact on growth from public investment spending is similar in both high and low-efficiency countries. Contributors: Andy Berg, a Deputy Director in the IMF’s Institute for Capacity Development

Dans son dernier bilan, le FMI signale que l’économie gabonaise a été durement touchée par la chute des cours du pétrole. Dans ce podcast, nous nous entretenons avec Montfort Mlachila, chef de mission du FMI pour le Gabon. Il souligne que le pays peut accroître sa résilience et redynamiser la croissance en diversifiant son économie. Montfort Mlachila, Chef de mission du FMI pour le Gabon.

The IMF’s most recent review of Gabon’s economy shows it’s been hit hard by the oil price decline. In this podcast, we speak with IMF Mission Chief for Gabon, Montfort Mlachila, who says the country can build resilience and revive growth by diversifying its economy. Contributors: Montfort Mlachila, IMF Mission Chief for Gabon

While it was widely expected that globalization would reduce inequality, income disparities between skilled and unskilled workers has only increased in recent years. In this podcast we ask Nobel Laureate Eric Maskin, why the global markets haven’t offered better economic opportunities for the world’s poorest. Contributors: Eric Maskin, Professor at Harvard University, and 2007 Nobel Laureate.

On this International Woman’s Day, we speak with Nigerian economist Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Best known for her two terms as Nigeria’s Finance Minister and for her work as a Managing Director at the World Bank, Dr. Okonjo Iweala is always looking for ways to help bridge the gender gap. Contributors: Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala,

More than a million migrants have entered Europe this year according to the International Organization for Migration. In this podcast, we speak with Professor Barry Chiswick who says language acquisition is key to immigrant success. Chiswick says language skills among immigrants are a form of human capital, and can substantially increase potential earnings. Contributors: Barry Chiswick, Professor of Economics and International Affairs at George Washington University

While many economies around the world should benefit from a growing US economy, a strong US dollar is seldom good news for emerging markets. In this podcast, we talk to IMF Senior Economist Nicolas Magud, coauthor of an article entitled Collateral Damage, published in the December 2015 issue of Finance and Development magazine.

The fabled mountain Kingdom of Lesotho achieved strong growth in recent years, but the IMF's latest economic review shows growth rates have dropped. In this podcast, IMF mission chief for Lesotho, David Dunn, says slower growth in neighboring South Africa has significantly reduced Lesotho's government revenues.

Ghana is considered one of West Africa's most stable democracies, and until recently it was a model for economic growth. But since 2012, the economy has taken a turn for the worse, and Ghana is now getting help from the IMF. In this podcast, IMF Mission Chief, Joël Toujas-Bernaté talks about the country's economic challenges.

The IMF released an update to its World Economic Outlook published in October 2015. The WEO Update, projects global growth to be slightly lower than last fall's forecast, at 3.4 percent this year, and 3.6 percent in 2017. IMF Chief economist Maurice Obstfeld, launched the new report at a press conference in London.

As the world's metropolises expand to accommodate more people, the earth's supply of sand is being pushed to the limit. Deceptively abundant, the basic raw material for glass and concrete can't keep up with demand. In this podcast, Pascal Peduzzi, of the United Nations Environmental Programme, talks about how our overdependence on sand is unsustainable.

The confluence of globalization and increased travel security has given rise to a flourishing industry, where residency and citizenship can be acquired by those with means. In this podcast we speak with the IMF's Judith Gold and Ahmed El-Ashram, who coauthored an article entitled "A Passport of Convenience", published in the December 2015 issue of Finance and Development.

Many more people with HIV are now surviving for longer, thanks to new antiretroviral drug treatments. But their governments must now come up with a way to pay for their ongoing treatment. But the price is putting many countries in sub-Saharan Africa at risk of unsustainable levels of debt. By Sir Paul Collier, Professor of Economics and Public Policy in the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford

Africa's strong growth in recent years has helped improve its institutions and policies, spurring more foreign direct investment from countries like China. In this podcast, David Dollar, Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, says while China is important to the increasing foreign investment in Africa, its role is far from dominant. Dollar is coauthor of "Investment Renaissance", published in the December 2015 issue of Finance and Development magazine.

World leaders will meet in Paris in December to forge a new climate deal that caps global warming at 2 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial revolution levels. But in this podcast, Nick Stern, Professor of Economics and Government at the London School of Economics, says the world is not yet on the two degree path as carbon emissions continue to rise. Stern is author of "The Low-Carbon Road" in the December issue of Finance & Development magazine.

Climate change has been at the forefront of discussions within the development community, as world leaders prepare to present their plans to reduce carbon emissions at the United Nations summit on climate change in December. In this podcast, the IMF's Gita Bhatt talks to Christiana Figueres, head of the United Nations framework convention on climate change.

From global financial crises to cybercrime, globalization has its downsides. The director of the Oxford Martin School discusses the pitfalls of the global community's ever closer union, and offers some possible remedies to its darker side.

L'Afrique subsaharienne subit les effets de la baisse des cours des produits de base. Le dernier rapport du FMI sur les Perspectives économiques régionales prévoit que les taux de croissance de la région descendront à leur plus bas niveau depuis six ans. Dans ce Podcast, Céline Allard, co-auteur du rapport, dit que certains pays ont très peu d'épargne à leur disposition pour faire face à cet ajustement.

Economic activity has weakened markedly in sub-Saharan Africa, and the strong growth momentum of recent years has dissipated in several countries. The IMF's latest Regional Economic Outlook for sub-Saharan Africa puts growth at 3¾ percent this year, lower than in 2009 in the aftermath of the global financial crisis. In this podcast, co-author Céline Allard, says low commodity prices, and tighter financing are key factors.

S'il est un pays qui démontre combien il est difficile de transformer les richesses minérales en croissance inclusive, c'est bien la République démocratique du Congo. Selon la dernière évaluation annuelle de l'économie congolaise réalisée par le FMI, les taux de croissance en 2014 atteignaient jusqu'à 9,2 %, mais les indices de pauvreté de la RDC restent parmi les plus élevés au monde. Dans ce podcast, Norbert Toé, Chef de mission pour la RDC, discute les points essentiels du rapport.

If there's one country that exemplifies the difficulty in transforming mineral wealth into inclusive growth- it's the Democratic Republic of Congo. The IMF's latest annual economic assessment indicates while growth rates for 2014 were as high as 9.2 percent, poverty rates in the DRC are still among the highest in the world. In this podcast, Norbert Toé, IMF mission chief for the DRC discusses the key findings in the report.

In development circles, governance is often a code word for corruption. But Daniel Kaufmann, president of the Natural Resource Governance Institute, says governance is much broader. In this podcast, Kaufmann talks about how good governance can actually triple a country's per capita income.

The IMF's latest World Economic Outlook (WEO) shows global growth at 3.1 percent this year, down from 3.4 percent in 2014. The report says while outlooks vary from country to country, the new WEO forecasts predict slower near-term growth nearly across the board, with increasing downside risks to the world economy as commodity prices continue to fall.

Cuba has been out of bounds for American tourists for more than 50 years. But with the US recently restoring diplomatic relations, some say it's just a matter of time before the floodgate opens to a whole generation of baby boomers wanting to experience some of Hemmingway's favorite watering holes. In this podcast the IMF's Nicole Laframboise talks about how the thaw in relations between the US and Cuba could shake up the Caribbean tourism industry.

Inflation can determine a currency's purchasing power as high inflation means rising prices. But what drives inflation differs from region to region. In this podcast we talk with Oral Williams, IMF Mission Chief for Malawi and coauthor of a new research paper that shows the drivers of inflation are changing in sub-Saharan Africa.

Asia fared well throughout the global financial crisis and has since become one of the strongest economic regions in the world. But with the global economy such as it is, a new book published by the IMF says Asia's financial systems are facing new challenges. In this podcast coauthor Jim Walsh talks about The Future of Asian Finance.

While the gap between rich and poor is widest in Latin America, research led by Nora Lustig shows it's the only region in the world where the gap is actually narrowing. But in this podcast, Lustig admits it's still unclear what specifically is behind the trend.

Poverty can mean different things in different countries. The creator of the "Multidimensional Poverty Index" explains how the measure is designed to expand policymakers' understanding of poverty beyond the traditional benchmark of living on less than $1.25 per day.

World trade has slowed in the past decade. Professor Douglas Irwin says countries need to shift from focusing on trade barriers at borders, to domestic reforms that would help entrepreneurs get their goods to port cities for export.

Russia is now likely in recession with GDP growth expected to decline 3.4 percent this year, says the IMF in its annual economic assessment. Mission Chief Ernesto Ramirez Rigo, explains how Russia's economic woes are largely due to the dramatic drop in oil prices, and sanctions in response to developments in Crimea and Ukraine.

India has invested nearly half a trillion dollars in its infrastructure over the last decade, but finding the funding for mega-projects is only half the challenge. The head of one of the country's leading infrastructure finance companies explains.

IMF board of Directors approved a package of proposals to help developing countries finance the new Sustainable Development Goals. IMF's Sean Nolan says the package will enhance the financial safety net for low income countries and fragile states.

Increasing trade can spur growth says Mari Pangestu of Jakarta's center for Strategic and International Studies. In this podcast Pangestu talks about how efficient, open and fair regional trade agreements make for a healthier global trade environment.

The IMF recently published a study on the world's water resource management challenges. Co-author Laure Redifer says Burkina Faso is an example of how efficient water resource management can improve a country's economic prospects.

Study by IMF Staff suggests raising income levels of the poor and middle boosts overall economic growth. Co-authors Kalpana Kochhar and Era Dabla-Norris say the wealth of the rich is not trickling down.

As the United Nations prepares to adopt its 17 new Sustainable Development goals in September, Florencio Abad talks about how the Philippines and other countries might find the resources required to hit the targets.

Public debt is a normal part of a government's finances, but too much debt can have serious consequences for a country. During a seminar at the IMF-World Bank Meetings, one former head of state, who left office with public finances in good standing, explains how her administration succeeded where others have so often failed. More at: http://www.imf.org/external/POS_meetings/SeminarDetails.aspx?SeminarId=41? Helen Clark, Administrator of UNDP

Two decades on from the genocide in which hundreds of thousands were slaughtered, the tiny east African state of Rwanda has been seeking a path to development and reconciliation. By Claver Gatete, Minister of Finance of Rwanda

Over the next decade and a half , the United Kingdom will pour hundreds of billions of dollars into transport, and other infrastructure projects. One of the country's top experts in the field says good planning, and strong political are critical to success.

Mauricio Villafuerte , Chef de mission pour le Tchad dit que le pays a mener à bien de remarquables réformes économiques, ce qui lui a permis d'avoir accès à un allègement de la dette dans le cadre de l'initiative en faveur des pays pauvres très endettés (PPTE). Contributors: Mauricio Villafuerte : Chef de mission pour le Tchad, Département Afrique du FMI

Mauricio Villafuerte, IMF Mission Chief for Chad says the country has made some remarkable economic reforms since 2010, paving the way for US$1.1 billion in debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative. Contributors: Mauricio Villafuerte : Mission Chief for Chad in the IMF's African Department