“We are encouraged by your vision of the IMF in the world,” he told Lagarde, who had attended the meeting in Lisbon to lobby for African support.

Mapon, speaking on behalf of African finance ministers, said her candidacy met the requirements and he was “reassured” that Lagarde would be “benevolent” towards Africa if she is appointed.

“We wish you very good luck,” he added.

Lagarde was the leading candidate to be the next managing director of the IMF as nominations closed on Friday to succeed Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who resigned after being charged with the attempted rape of a New York hotel maid.