- ECOWAS leaders met to discuss regional bloc challenges, with Julius Maada Bio chairing the meetings and Sierra Leone being included as a member state.
- ECOWAS commits to launching an ECO single currency, with Julius Maada Bio chairing the authority sessions.
- Plans are moving forward for a single currency, but the inclusion of members is being questioned.
WAEMU Central Bank Strengthens Government Fiscal Centrality
What happened
The Central Bank of West African States is taking concrete steps regarding governance within the West African Economic and Monetary Union. This action strengthens the fiscal and political centrality of member governments within the union framework. Separately, UEMOA bond markets in 2025 showed that states captured 95.19% of all bond mobilizations, compared to only 3.18% secured by private companies.
From riotimesonline.com
Why it matters
The Central Bank strengthening government centrality reinforces the existing market structure where sovereign debt is overwhelmingly preferred by investors. This trend is supported by 2025 market figures showing states raised 3,507.8 billion CFA francs, while private-sector issuers raised 117.1 billion CFA francs.
Plans are moving forward for a single currency, though the inclusion of member states is being questioned. ECOWAS has committed to launching an ECO single currency, with Julius Maada Bio chairing the authority sessions.
From riotimesonline.com
Who's involved
- West African Economic and Monetary UnionThe inter-governmental organization whose governance is being strengthened.
- Central Bank of West African StatesThe central bank taking steps to reinforce government centrality within the WAEMU.
- Economic Community of West African StatesThe intergovernmental economic union under whose auspices the WAEMU is convened.
Who could feel it
Possible knock-on effectsThese are possibilities Brind reasoned out, not predictions, and not advice. Most are not stated in any report.
- SenegalSpeculative
State funding access for member states like Senegal might be strengthened due to the sovereign tilt in the bond market.
Keep exploring
The entities involved
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West African Economic and Monetary Union
inter-governmental organisation
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Central Bank of West African States
central bank serving the West African Economic and Monetary Union