Four African presidents meet IMF chief in Libreville

Four African presidents held a mini-summit with Rodrigo de Rato, the general director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Libreville on Tuesday, in an attempt to further reduce poverty and enhance growth.

The four heads of state are Dennis Sassou-Nguesso of the Republic of Congo, who is also the current chairman of the African Union, Francois Bozize of Central Africa Republic, Fradique de Menezes of Sao Tome and Principe and Omar Bongo Ondimba of Gabon, who hosts the meeting.

The three invited presidents arrived in Gabon Monday afternoon for the meeting with Rodirgo de Rato, who hoped to get valuable insights on how best the IMF can support its member countries in their effort to reduce poverty and enhance growth.

Rato is to inaugurate the Central Africa Regional Technical Assistance Center (AFRITAC), which is sponsored by IMF to act as a think tank for member countries of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC).

The center, which will also help in strengthening relations between IMF and Burundi as well as the Democratic Republic of Congo, is the third of such centers to be opened in Africa. The other two are found in Tanzania and Mali.