The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia: First Review Under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement, Request for Modification of Performance Criteria, and Financing Assurances Review-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Dir

The Board approved Ethiopia’s request for a four-year arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF arrangement) in July 2024 to support the authorities’ program aimed at addressing macroeconomic imbalances, restoring external debt sustainability, and laying the foundation for high, private sector-led growth. The transition to a market-determined exchange rate has been progressing well with a significant narrowing of the spread between the parallel and official market rate and no signs of significant inflationary pressures, albeit the supply of foreign exchange (FX) to the market has picked up more slowly than anticipated with some unmet demand persisting. With economic agents still adjusting to the new FX regime, persistent uncertainty, and seasonal lows in export earnings, it is too early to draw definitive conclusions on the full effects of the exchange rate reform.