LUSA 04/14/2026

Lusa - Business News - Guinea-Bissau: World Bank resumes payments for ongoing projects

Washington, April 13, 2026 (Lusa) – The World Bank resumed payments for ongoing operations in Guinea-Bissau in early April, following their suspension after the November coup d’état, the institution confirmed to Lusa on Monday.

"Following the suspension of operations after the November 2025 coup d’état and a project portfolio review, disbursements for existing operations resumed as of 3 April 2026," an official World Bank source said.

The source said that "new operations remain subject to a separate assessment" and added: "The World Bank remains committed to supporting the development of Guinea-Bissau."

"Our focus remains on strengthening institutions, building human capital, and consolidating development gains for the people of Guinea-Bissau," the same source told Lusa.

Confirmation of the resumed payments follows the suspension announced on 14 January due to last year's November coup. The World Bank Group is closely monitoring the situation in Guinea-Bissau, an official source stated on 14 January. The source confirmed that the organisation had suspended disbursements and projects in the Portuguese-language African country.

Current projects in the country include an emergency response programme, several initiatives to improve connectivity and strengthen public administration, and significant funding for the population census scheduled to begin later this month.

A self-proclaimed Military High Command seized power in Guinea-Bissau on 26 November 2025. The coup occurred on the eve of the proclamation of provisional results for the legislative and presidential elections held on the 23rd of that month. The military deposed the outgoing president and candidate Sissoco Embaló, who has since left the country.

Following the coup, authorities detained several opposition politicians, judges, members of the National Electoral Commission, and the leader of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cabo Verde (PAIGC), Domingos Simões Pereira. Meanwhile, the candidate claiming victory in the presidential elections, Fernando Dias, "was forced to seek refuge in the Nigerian Embassy for more than sixty days".

General Hora Inta-a was appointed by the military as transitional president. He has since established a government and a National Transitional Council (CNT) to replace the parliament.

 

MBA/RYOL // AYLS

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