Author: Olivier Basdevant
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Published: 2015-10-23
Total Pages: 27
ISBN-13: 1513567330
DOWNLOAD EBOOK →West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) countries face a well-known dilemma between the need to provide shock-smoothing mechanisms and the lack of adequate mechanisms to do so. WAEMU countries are subject to frequent and, to a large extent, asymmetric shocks. They have remained poorly diversified and vulnerable to external shocks, such as changing weather conditions. In addition to limited shock-smoothing mechanisms at the regional level, WAEMU members’ ability to respond to shocks through national policies is also constrained by limited fiscal space and the need to preserve external stability—not only at the national level but also at the union level. In this context, developing a well-defined fiscal rule framework at the national level would help to build the necessary fiscal space for shock-smoothing. In addition, the development of specific shock-smoothing mechanisms—including a more developed and integrated financial sector—would also be critical. In addition, promoting financial development is also a challenge, which needs to be addressed in tandem with an adequate surveillance system. Some of these challenges have been faced by other monetary unions, such as the euro area.
Author: International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Published: 2013-04-03
Total Pages: 106
ISBN-13: 1484368681
DOWNLOAD EBOOK →Military coups that occurred in Guinea-Bissau and Mali caused economic disruption in the WAEMU countries. Regional policies have been in line with the recommendations, and growth is expected to remain robust, risks are on the downside, and the macroeconomic policy is appropriate. Preserving debt sustainability and stability of the Union in the medium term requires better coordination of fiscal policies. Development of the financial system, and strengthening of the regulatory and supervisory framework is necessary to address existing and new risks.
Author: International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Published: 2024-04-17
Total Pages: 72
ISBN-13:
DOWNLOAD EBOOK →The WAEMU has seen strong growth and rising living standards over the past decade. Economic growth averaged 5.4 percent in 2013-2019 and 5.8 percent in 2021-2023. Policy efforts from regional and national authorities have cushioned the impact of several external and internal shocks, prompting a solid economic recovery since the COVID-19 pandemic, despite increasing security issues. Meanwhile, the Human Development Index has increased from 0.44 in 2013 to 0.48 in 2021.
Author: International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Published: 2021-03-02
Total Pages: 74
ISBN-13: 1513571044
DOWNLOAD EBOOK →Selected Issues
Author: International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Published: 2019-03-29
Total Pages: 49
ISBN-13: 1498305946
DOWNLOAD EBOOK →This Selected Issues paper reviews West African Economic and Monetary Union’s (WAEMU) regional macroeconomic surveillance framework to control all sources of debt accumulation and ensure debt sustainability. WAEMU’s regional surveillance framework aims at ensuring the sustainability of national fiscal policies and their consistency with the common monetary policy. While fiscal deficits have been the main driver of public debt across WAEMU member countries, the size of residual factors has varied greatly among these countries. The WAEMU Macroeconomic Surveillance Framework would benefit from adjustments to more effectively set the region’s public debt on a sustainable path. In addition, beyond adhering to the WAEMU fiscal deficit rule, member countries must curb below-the-budget-line operations. This would require improved monitoring of fiscal risks and the building of adequate budget provisions to address such risks before they materialize. Improved Treasury practices would also help eliminate the recourse to pre-financing arrangements and tighten control over expenditure. Public dissemination of the WAEMU progress report and strengthened peer-to-peer learning among member countries could improve the momentum for reforms.
Author: International Monetary
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Published: 2022-08-25
Total Pages: 43
ISBN-13:
DOWNLOAD EBOOK →The institutional and legal frameworks for financial stability in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) have seen significant progress since the previous Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP) in 2008. 1 The institutional reform of the WAEMU and the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) in 2010 clarified the respective mandates and responsibilities of the latter and the WAEMU Banking Commission (CBU), and it strengthened the CBU’s legal autonomy and enforcement powers. A new banking law adopted in 2010 established an overall framework for the operation and supervision of banking activities, which has been rendered more proactive and risk based with the gradual implementation of the Basel II/III mechanism initiated in 2016. A bank resolution regime was introduced in 2015 and the mandate of the deposit guarantee fund, created in 2014, was expanded to bank resolution funding in 2018. A macroprudential policy framework, including for monitoring systemic financial sector risks, was developed around the BCEAO and the Financial Stability Committee (CSF-UMOA) in 2010. This series of reforms has greatly enhanced the robustness of the financial safety net via its four components: the early intervention mechanism, the bank resolution regime, the deposit insurance system, and the emergency liquidity assistance (ELA) mechanism.
Author: International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Published: 2023-03-07
Total Pages: 62
ISBN-13:
DOWNLOAD EBOOK →The WAEMU’s post-Covid-19 recovery has so far withstood the new global and regional shocks, partly owing to supportive fiscal and monetary policies as well as relatively strong macroeconomic fundamentals over the previous decade. Growth prospects remain favorable, reserves—albeit declining—remain adequate, and the financial system appears to be resilient. However, the region faces important challenges associated with rising inflation, limited access to international capital markets, eroding external buffers, and regional security issues, in the presence of elevated global risks.
Author: International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Published: 2019-03-29
Total Pages: 46
ISBN-13: 1498305911
DOWNLOAD EBOOK →This regional consultation IMF staff report for West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) highlights that growth remained strong in 2018, the fiscal deficit narrowed by 1/2 percentage point of GDP, external reserves increased, and important banking reforms were put in place, including the introduction of Basel II/III standards. The medium-term outlook remains positive despite somewhat less favorable global conditions, but critically hinges on planned fiscal consolidation and structural reforms to improve competitiveness and allow the private sector to become the main engine of growth. Other risks relate to terms-of-trade and weather shocks, and a difficult security situation in some countries. The report also discusses that collectively adhering to fiscal consolidation commitments, with a greater focus on domestic revenue mobilization and more effective control of below-the-line operations, is essential to lower risks of public debt distress, support international reserves, and preserve external viability. Structural policies aimed at improving competitiveness and growth inclusiveness are critical to reducing vulnerabilities to external shocks, building external buffers, stimulating private-sector-led growth, and making the growth momentum sustainable.
Author: International Monetary
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Published: 2022-03-02
Total Pages: 68
ISBN-13:
DOWNLOAD EBOOK →The WAEMU has, so far, demonstrated strong resilience to the Covid crisis. The economic rebound that started in the second half of 2020 firmed up in 2021, while fiscal and monetary policies remained supportive. External reserves have risen to comfortable levels and the financial system appears to be broadly sound. However, the region faces significant challenges to ensure the sustainability of macroeconomic policies, while supporting the economic recovery and navigating the uncertain outlook.