In 2025, Senegal experienced a minor decline in its implementation of the West African Economic and Monetary Union’s (UEMOA) community reforms, policies, programs, and projects. This dip occurred despite authorities generally deeming the country’s overall results satisfactory.

The political phase of the 11th Annual Review of UEMOA community reforms, policies, programs, and projects, hosted in Senegal, formally confirmed an average implementation rate of 76.45% for 2025. This marks a decrease of 2.14 percentage points from the 78.59% recorded in 2024. This year’s assessment encompassed 145 reforms, an increase from the 132 evaluated in the preceding period.

These findings were presented following deliberations that brought together Senegalese state officials and the UEMOA Commission. The session was chaired by Cheikh Diba, the Minister of Finance and Budget, alongside Abdoulaye Diop, the President of the UEMOA Commission.

According to Minister Diba, this downturn primarily stems from observed declines in the execution of reforms related to economic governance and convergence, which fell by 1.3 percentage points, as well as sectoral reforms, experiencing a more significant drop of 6.03 points. Nevertheless, progress within the common market, marked by a 0.91-point increase, helped mitigate the overall underperformance.

The Minister further elaborated that the challenges identified in economic governance and convergence were mainly attributable to the delayed submission of the 2024 Single Window for Financial Statements (GUDEF) report to the UEMOA Commission during the technical review phase.

Despite this general retreat, several sectors demonstrated positive advancements. Noteworthy progress was observed in the harmonization of the legal, accounting, and statistical framework for public finances, which improved by 1.83 percentage points. The customs union advanced by 4.55 points, while the agriculture, livestock, fishing, and environment sectors saw a 2.12-point increase. Human and social development gained 6.58 points, and energy and mines progressed by 3.33 points.

Cheikh Diba highlighted that the most significant achievements among the structural reforms were particularly evident in culture, tourism, crafts, quality standards, and the overall business climate.

Commitments to course correction and renewed efforts

For the Minister of Finance and Budget, these results necessitate immediate attention and urgent corrective measures. The Senegalese government has therefore pledged to implement the necessary provisions to solidify existing achievements, enhance performance, and systematically address the identified shortcomings.

He emphasized that substantial work remains, particularly in finalizing document validation processes, providing essential supporting documentation, and ensuring the effective execution and monitoring of community programs and projects.

The political segment of this review successfully validated the outcomes from the technical phase and reinforced the commitment of the Senegalese administration and its highest authorities towards implementing community reforms.

Cheikh Diba believes that, despite existing room for improvement, these results align with a broader dynamic observed across UEMOA member states, where significant strides have also been made in reform implementation.

The Minister reiterated that, for Senegal, strengthening regional integration remains a paramount objective. In this light, the conclusions of this political phase will be presented to Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko during an upcoming audience with the President of the UEMOA Commission.