More energy reforms needed, IMF tells Egypt
The Egyptian economy continued to improve in 2018, according to the organisation, but further measures are needed
In 2016, the International Monetary Fund agreed to help Egypt's economy recover from years of crisis by providing it with disbursements totaling $12bn. The deal was conditional on the government reducing subsidies on basic goods and services, including sources of energy. Fuel subsidies, according to the IMF, have represented "an important share of budget spending in the past, contributing to increased deficits and debt, and crowding out spending on education and health". The IMF, in its latest review of the Egyptian economy, praised the government's performance since the loan programme began, saying that its "fiscal consolidation plan remains on track". But it also wrote that there's still
Also in this section
14 April 2026
The GECF has warned it may revise its projections for demand this year downwards in light of conflict in the Middle East, although it maintains its forecasts for 2027 and onwards
13 April 2026
Petroleum Economist analysis highlights sharp shift from crude oversupply to market deficit, with Iraq and Kuwait badly affected and key producers Saudi Arabia and the UAE also seeing output sharply lower
13 April 2026
Turkmenistan is moving ahead with a modest expansion of the giant Galkynysh field to sustain gas deliveries abroad, but persistent delays to other key pipeline projects and geopolitical risks continue to constrain its export ambitions
13 April 2026
Expensive electricity has forced out swathes of energy-intensive industry and now threatens the country’s ability to attract future investment in datacentres and the digital economy






