The Fund was informed by its bank that all payments in XOF (West African CFA franc) to Mali ceased effective with the January 2022 benefit payments, following sanctions imposed on Mali by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on January 9, 2022.

The Fund has secured a payment channel to reissue the returned payments this week, and the reissuance of January 2022 benefit payments will begin soon. All reissuance of January payments are expected to be completed in 2-3 weeks.

The Fund is exploring alternative payment channels for the future, and will provide updates on its website once new information becomes available.