International Monetary Fund

Money Moves

Published the April 2026 Global Financial Stability Report

Twenty years ago, when a developing country needed to borrow from abroad, its government or corporations typically got a loan from a large international bank. Today, roughly 80 percent of that money comes instead from hedge funds, pension funds, insurers, and other non-bank investors — entities that can pull their money out far faster than a bank ever would. The International Monetary Fund laid out this transformation in a chapter of its April 2026 Global Financial Stability Report, warning that nearly $4 trillion in cumulative portfolio investment has flowed into emerging markets since the 2008 financial crisis, much of it from institutions with little obligation to stay.

Updated 7 days ago

Money Moves

Providing $3.4 billion Extended Credit Facility; completed fourth program review in January 2026

Ethiopia signed $13.1 billion in investment agreements at a two-day forum in Addis Ababa on March 27, 2026 — more than five times the government's $2.4 billion target. Companies from China, Poland, India, Singapore, and Kenya committed capital across renewable energy, manufacturing, real estate, mining, and green ammonia production, making it the largest single haul from any of Ethiopia's four investment forums.

Updated Mar 27

Rule Changes

Kenya's lending partner with conditions on subsidy reform

Kenya imports every drop of refined fuel it consumes. On the 15th of each month, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority sets maximum pump prices based on landed import costs and exchange rates—a system designed to prevent price gouging while ensuring suppliers can recover costs. In February 2026, that formula delivered a 2.3% cut in petrol prices, dropping a liter in Nairobi to 178.28 shillings (about $1.38).

Updated Feb 15

Money Moves

Providing baseline financing and needs assessments

The European Union approved a €90 billion loan package for Ukraine on February 4, 2026—the largest single financial commitment in the bloc's history to a non-member state. Two-thirds of the money, €60 billion, will purchase weapons and ammunition; the remaining €30 billion covers government operations. Ukraine will only repay the loan if Russia agrees to war reparations, meaning the EU expects to carry this debt indefinitely.

Updated Feb 5

Money Moves

Primary source of global growth forecasts

In April 2025, average US tariffs hit their highest level since 1943. Nine months later, the global economy is still growing. The IMF's January 2026 World Economic Outlook projects 3.3% global growth—slightly better than feared—as businesses rerouted supply chains, AI investment surged, and a US-China truce pulled tariffs back from their 145% peak.

Updated Jan 21