Eight West African Nations Maintain Dynamic Growth

The Council of Ministers of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU/UEMOA) convened in Cotonou, Benin on December 29, 2025, for its regular meeting to review 2025 economic performance. The results showed regional GDP growth rising from 6.2% in the previous year to 6.7%. Growth is projected to moderate slightly to 6.4% in 2026.

Burkina Faso's Minister of Economy and Finance, Aboubacar Nacanabo, who chaired the meeting, explained that "increased household consumption, expanded investment in socio-economic infrastructure, and robust growth in agriculture, services, and manufacturing sectors drove these results."

Price Stability and Fiscal Deficit Reduction

WAEMU announced that annual inflation for 2025 recorded 0.2%, a sharp decline from 3.5% in 2024. Inflation is expected to rise modestly to 2.0% in 2026.

Fiscal health is also improving. The regional fiscal deficit has consistently decreased from 5.4% of GDP (2024) → 3.9% (2025) → 3.3% (projected for 2026).

In external trade, increased petroleum product exports, rising gold and cocoa prices, and reduced food and energy import costs contributed to improved trade balances.

Central Bank Revises Usury Rate Regulations

The Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) decided at this meeting to revise regional usury rate ceiling regulations. This measure aims to align regulations with the economic environment of financial institutions, strengthen financial inclusion, and support economic financing.

The West African Development Bank (BOAD) received approval for its 2026-2030 financial outlook, and the WAEMU Commission submitted its December semi-annual multilateral surveillance report.

Risk Factors Remain

The Council of Ministers noted that while economic prospects are positive, geopolitical tensions, security instability, and climate change impacts remain potential risk factors.

WAEMU is an economic and monetary community comprising eight nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo, which share a common currency, the West African CFA franc.