The managing director of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva urged countries facing economic pressure to seek financial support early, warning that delays could worsen economic conditions.
Speaking at a press conference during the 2026 Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group and IMF in Washington, she said governments must act quickly when they need assistance.
“My advice is that when you need help financially, don’t hesitate to move fast, because the sooner we act, the more we protect the economy,” she said.
Georgieva also encouraged countries to adopt policies that reduce energy consumption, citing measures introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic such as remote work and free public transport in some countries.
She said the ongoing crisis in the Middle East is already affecting the global economy, with supply chain disruptions and infrastructure damage pushing up prices and slowing growth.
“We have been watching developments in the Middle East,” she said. “A war that causes significant pain to people and economies in the region and around the world. The impact on the global economy is already large.”
She projected global growth to fall from 3.4% last year to 2.1% in 2026, warning that prolonged conflict and sustained high oil prices could further weaken global economic conditions.
In a worst-case scenario, she said global growth could drop to 2%, with energy-importing countries — many of them low-income or fragile economies — facing the greatest impact.
Georgieva said the IMF is working to identify countries in urgent need of assistance, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, which she said is among the most affected regions.
She added that African finance ministers and central bank governors recently sought policy guidance rather than immediate financial aid, though she said financial support may still be required.
“We anticipate financial demand for IMF support to range between $20 billion and $50 billion,” she said, citing potential requests from more than a dozen countries.
Georgieva stressed the importance of building fiscal buffers during periods of stability to help countries withstand future economic shocks.
She said maintaining financial stability remains a priority as global risks rise, adding that the IMF stands ready to support member nations facing economic strain.
