
Naji Issa, Governor of the Central Bank of Libya CBL, attended the IMF Spring Meetings in Washington D.C. from April 13 to 18, 2026. During the meetings, Governor Issa met with the US Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for the Middle East and Africa to discuss Libya's financial and economic situation, CBL's economic reform initiatives, and mechanisms for foreign transactions with the US Federal Reserve. Key topics included curbing corruption, foreign currency smuggling, money laundering, and terrorist financing, as well as the CBL's plan for distributing US dollars through commercial banks. Governor Issa also chaired a meeting with the US Libyan Business Association, emphasizing CBL's support for American companies returning to Libya and promoting a transparent investment environment. He met with Visa officials to advance financial inclusion and electronic payment services, and participated in a meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors from the Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan group with the IMF Managing Director. Discussions with JPMorgan focused on international economic and geopolitical developments, enhancing financial stability, and diversifying foreign exchange reserves. Furthermore, Governor Issa discussed strengthening technical and legal cooperation with the IMF, particularly regarding legislative frameworks for combating money laundering and terrorist financing, updating the Banking Law, and regulating electronic payment companies.
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Must ReadArmed clashes and exchanges of fire in the city of Zawia intensified, affecting areas near the Zawia Oil Refinery complex. The refinery reported that heavy caliber shells fell within its compound, reaching operating areas. This necessitated an emergency shutdown of the refinery and the evacuation of tankers from the port to ensure safety. The Libyan Red Crescent branch in Zawiya received distress calls from citizens, noting widespread anxiety and panic due to the clashes. The Zawia Security Directorate, representing the Tripoli-based Libyan government, launched a security operation against outlaw hideouts, urging citizen cooperation and warning wanted individuals against resistance. Zawia is described as a politically polarized city, with this polarization contributing to a security vacuum exploited by various groups involved in illicit trade.
Must ReadThe African Development Bank AfDB has expressed a strong desire to support the Libya Africa Investment Portfolio LAIP's Two Transit Corridors Project. The AfDB's offer includes mobilizing international funding from donors to secure partial or full financing for the project's technical and economic studies and subsequent phases. This offer followed a meeting on May 6 between LAIP's High Committee for the project and an AfDB delegation led by Malin Blomberg, the Bank’s Deputy Director, at the Land Transport Authority of the Tripoli-based Libyan Ministry of Transport. The meeting highlighted the project's strategic importance and its potential to enhance transportation, logistics, and connectivity among African nations. Both parties agreed to continue coordination, cooperation, and the exchange of technical data to advance the project.

The Attorney General’s Office in Libya has launched an investigation into alleged illicit financial benefits from banking operations at Al-Wahda Bank’s Souq Al-Thulatha branch. The Anti-Corruption Prosecution, under the Tripoli Court of Appeal, is examining information related to the collection of US$2.8 million in documentary credits without the corresponding deposit of Libyan dinars. Authorities have ordered the detention of the official responsible for managing documentary credit affairs at the time of the transaction and a representative of the company that benefited from the alleged fraud. Other participants in the incident are also being sought for questioning. Separately, Libya's Administrative Control Authority ACA continues to receive complaints and reports from citizens and residents through its Raqeeb whistleblowing website, aiming to enhance transparency and legal accountability while protecting whistleblowers.

Al-Hadba Al-Khadra General Hospital in Libya successfully performed the country's first wireless pacemaker implantation on a patient with a slow heart rate. This procedure, part of the Ministry of Health's 100-day Plan, marks a significant medical milestone for Libya and is the eighth such implantation on the African continent. The Ministry of Health highlighted that this achievement demonstrates the efficiency of Libyan medical staff in utilizing advanced wireless pacemaker technology, which is implanted directly into the heart without traditional wires, thereby reducing risks and accelerating patient recovery. This initiative reflects the Ministry's commitment to developing the healthcare sector and improving services for Libyan citizens, underscoring the positive impact of investing in national medical expertise and providing a suitable technical environment.