Cabo Verde: Fourth Review of the Arrangement Under the Extended Credit Facility and First Review of the Arrangement Under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility and Request of Rephasing of Availability Dates-Press Release; and Staff Report

This paper discusses Carbo Verde’s Fourth Review under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement, Request for Modifications of Performance Criteria, and First Review of the Arrangement under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) and Request of Rephasing of Availability Dates. Macroeconomic performance in 2023 was strong, with real gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 5.1 percent, a strong primary fiscal surplus, low inflation, and a prudent level of reserves to protect the peg. The public debt-to-GDP ratio continues on a downward path, and the financial sector remains resilient. The authorities are improving the monetary and financial policy frameworks. Reforms to foster productivity and diversification underpin the authorities’ growth and climate resilience strategy. The RSF arrangement supports strong reforms in the energy-water nexus with the aim of facilitating private sector development, building the appropriate infrastructure, reducing costs, and managing the energy transition. The near-term outlook is favorable despite some downside risks. Reforms focus on climate-resilience, preserving debt sustainability, advancing strong reforms in the energy-water nexus and managing the energy transition, while targeting social spending to protect the most vulnerable from the costs of the transition. State-owned enterprises reforms are key to reducing fiscal risks, and improving inter-island connectivity is critical for competitiveness.