The West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) Council of Ministers, meeting at the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) headquarters in Dakar, approved a package of conclusions spanning macroeconomic surveillance, statistics and regional capital markets. The ministers issued a favourable opinion for the continuation of BCEAO-related decisions aimed at strengthening the union’s external position. On multilateral surveillance, the Council examined and adopted the semi-annual implementation report as at end-June 2025, which assesses member states’ 2024 economic and financial performance and provides 2025 projections. The report points to growth rising from 6.3% in 2024 to 6.7% in 2025, with average annual inflation expected to decelerate to 1.2% in 2025 from 3.5% in 2024, attributed to higher 2024/2025 agricultural output and lower imported food and energy prices. The Council also issued a recommendation on economic policy orientations for member states for 2026 and adopted a decision establishing a Harmonized Survey on Household Living Conditions (EHCVM) to create a single survey model for comparable household living-conditions indicators and updated socio-economic monitoring data. For the UEMOA financial markets authority (AMF-UMOA), the Council approved the 2024 financial statements and the allocation of the surplus to retained earnings, authorised billing of licensing fees and an annual levy to Caisses des Dépôts et Consignations and similar entities as managers of consigned assets in the regional financial market, and approved a tariff update to incorporate those entities and listing sponsors. Separately, Aboubakar Nacanabo, Burkina Faso’s Minister of Economy and Finance, was designated to chair the Council for two years from 7 October 2025.
Central Bank of West African States 2025-10-06
Central Bank of West African States receives UEMOA ministers’ backing to continue measures to strengthen the union’s external position
The West African Economic and Monetary Union Council of Ministers approved measures on macroeconomic surveillance, statistics, and regional capital markets, supporting BCEAO decisions to strengthen the union's external position. The Council adopted a report projecting growth from 6.3% in 2024 to 6.7% in 2025, with inflation expected to decrease to 1.2% in 2025. Additionally, the Council approved financial statements for the UEMOA financial markets authority and designated Burkina Faso’s Minister of Economy and Finance, Aboubakar Nacanabo, as chair for two years starting 7 October 2025.