Last Updated: April 18, 2008
Technical Assistance
Cotton-producers in West Africa have faced a difficult world market in recent years—more than 10 million people there live principally off the crop. (photo: Luc Gnago/Reuters/Corbis)
The IMF provides technical assistance to West Africa through its Technical Assistance Center in Mali. Through better governance, less conflict, better economic policies, and debt relief many African countries have been experiencing higher growth and lower inflation—despite unfavorable international trading conditions.
Country News
Technical Assistance at Heart of IMF Support for Africa
February 29, 2008
The IMF will continue to provide policy advice and technical assistance to help its African members build on their progress of recent years to achieve a sustained reduction in poverty. 
Niger Debt Relief Yields Results
January 25, 2008
Niger has made progress in reforming the financial sector and reducing the cost of doing business
Mozambique: Budget Reform Holds Promise
November 26, 2007
Since the end of its devastating civil war in 1992, Mozambique has undertaken wide-ranging structural reforms that have contributed to an average annual growth rate of 8 percent between 1996 and 2006.
Assessing Chile's Reserve Management
November 26, 2007
As part of a recent technical assistance project, IMF experts assessed the capacity of Chile's central bank to administer two sovereign wealth funds set up in 2006.
IMF Looks to Step Up Work with Donors
November 26, 2007
Providing technical advice and know-how to member countries is a vital role for the IMF in a globalized economy.
Policy Overview
The IMF technical assistance program helps countries to strengthen governance, build economic institutions, train staff, and design effective economic policies.
Factsheet: Regional Technical Assistance and Training Centers
Factsheet: Technical Assistance
Issues Brief: Building Capacity as the Foundation for Growth
Key Issue: Development, Trade, and Aid
IMF Work
IMF Institute Training
The IMF provides training in various areas, including macroeconomic policy, tax policy, and revenue administration. (photo: Rob Melnychuk/Corbis)
Commentary
Strengthening Public Institutions for Transparency
December, 2007
"In many countries, it is vital to build up institutions like the audit office, whose role is essential to proper budget review. Technical assistance provided by the African Capacity Building Foundation is a move in the right direction". Abdoulaye Bio-Tchané, former Director, IMF African Department and Etienne B. Yehoue, Economist, IMF Monetary and Capital Markets Department
Public Financial Management Assistance
November 14, 2007
"Country PFM technical assistance needs range from strategic advice on feasible PFM reform paths to very short-term advice solving specific, practical PFM problems. To meet these differing needs, the IMF has multiple ways of delivering technical assistance." Christian Schiller, Senior Economist, IMF Fiscal Affairs Department
The Benefits of Partnership: Inauguration of the Central AFRITAC
January 9, 2007
The Central African Technical Assistance Center was opened in Libreville, Gabon to serve the capacity-building needs of countries in the region.
Capacity Building in Africa and the IMF's Role
May 17, 2005
Capacity building was, and still is, seen as one of the best ways to help countries achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
Comments on this page should be sent to:
Spotlight
TA in Fragile States
April 1, 2008
The IMF affirmed that technical assistance is central to the Fund's role in fragile states, but underscored that TA must remain within the Fund's core areas of expertise,and that coordination with other donors continues.
More on IMF Involvement in Fragile States
Helping Postconflict Nations Rebuild
November 26, 2007
Three new books tell the story of how technical assistance by international institutions has, and can, make a big difference in the recovery of postconflict countries.
Updated Q&A on TA
Research & Publications
Evaluation of the U.K. DFID-Financed Technical Assistance GDDS Project
March 21, 2008
The review includes internal and periodic evaluations of project execution and reports by TA providers. The GDDS is part of the Fund's Data Standards Initiative. The project sought to assist countries to participate in the GDDS. It expanded to include providing TA and promoting greater awareness and regional cooperation.
Republic of Congo: Staff—Monitored Program
July 16, 2007
Congo remains committed to improving public financial management. In 2007, the authorities will use the new budget classification system—put together with Fund technical assistance—to plan and execute the 2008 budget.
Republic of Mozambique: Selected Issues
July 31, 2007
Public Financial Management (PFM) systems in Mozambique have shown major improvements in recent years. The government has been implementing a nationwide PFM reform, initially with substantial IMF technical assistance and more recently financed by a multidonor common fund.
Review of the Fund's Regional Technical Assistance Centers
June 28, 2005
Regional technical assistance centers (RTACs) have become an increasingly important for Fund technical assistance (TA) and this review responds to IMF Executive Directors' calls for monitoring and regular evaluation of their operations.
More publications on technical assistance