WASHINGTON, July 9 (Reuters) - The IMF's Africa director Zeine Zeidane met with Malawi's finance minister and central bank governor on the sidelines of the African Caucus 2026 in Gambia on Wednesday, as discussions continued about a new loan program for the African country, an IMF official said on Thursday.

IMF spokesperson Julie Kozack said Malawi faced some significant economic challenges, including elevated inflation, and any new lending program would aim to restore macroeconomic stability and support growth while protecting priority social spending to support vulnerable citizens.

Zeidane encouraged continued cooperation by the Malawi officials to reach an agreement on a new Extended Credit Facility as soon as possible, Kozack told reporters.