Sudan seeks to restore World Bank partnership for reconstruction and debt relief
April 18, 2026 (WASHINGTON) – A Sudanese delegation on Saturday discussed the restoration of its partnership with the World Bank and International Monetary Fund to help finance reconstruction programs and accelerate debt relief steps.
The World Bank froze $1.8 billion in grants to Sudan following the October 25, 2021, coup. However, it sent a mission late last year to monitor programs funded and implemented by United Nations agencies covering health, water, education, agricultural production, and poverty resilience.
Central Bank of Sudan Governor Amna Mirghani and Minister of State for Finance Mohamed Nour Abdel Daim met with the United Kingdom’s Executive Director at the World Bank Group and IMF on the sidelines of the Spring Meetings.
The Ministry of Finance said in a statement that the delegation emphasized that restoring a full partnership with the World Bank is a priority for financing reconstruction and development programs.
The delegation called for accelerating the resolution of the foreign debt file to open the door for concessional financing for productive projects and infrastructure.
Sudan’s external debt rose to $66.8 billion by late 2023. According to the Central Bank of Sudan, the principal debt does not exceed $33 billion, while the remainder consists of late and contractual interest.
Western countries and global financial institutions suspended the relief of approximately $50 billion of Sudan’s debt immediately after the military coup. This occurred despite Sudan reaching the decision point under the HIPC initiative following harsh economic reforms.
The Ministry of Finance stated that the delegation reviewed the government’s vision for economic reform and the progress made despite the challenges posed by the war.
The government remains committed to completing the requirements of the debt relief program and achieving structural reforms that enhance financial stability and support the return of growth, the ministry added.
According to the statement, the UK Executive Director expressed support for Sudan’s efforts to restore relations with international financial institutions.
The British side is ready to provide technical support, the director said, while stressing the importance of Sudan continuing to provide the data required to process the debt relief steps smoothly.
The Ministry of Finance described the meeting as a reflection of Sudan’s active return to the international partnership table and of partners’ keenness to support economic recovery and reconstruction.
The United Nations reports that the war has set Sudan’s economy back by more than 30 years. In 2023, the country lost $6.4 billion in GDP, pushing nearly 7 million people into extreme poverty in a single year.