IMF Boss on first trip to Africa

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde will visit Nigeria and Niger from December 18–22, 2011, officials at the Fund have said.

This is Lagarde’s first trip to Africa since her appointment as MD of the IMF earlier this year.

“Lagarde will hear from policymakers, the African private sector, and civil society about the challenges facing African countries, and underline the IMF’s commitment to further reinforce the IMF’s partnership with sub-Saharan Africa,” said the IMF on its website.

The IMF has also indicated the world’s newly found state, South Sudan will become a member of the Fund early 2012.

“The process of membership of South Sudan at the IMF is at an advanced stage. South Sudan has applied for membership earlier this year and I look forward to South Sudan becoming the Fund’s 188th member in early 2012,” Ms Lagarde said after meeting South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir in Washington DC, according to an IMF press release December 16, 2011.

By Ekow Quandzie