Côte d'Ivoire's President Alassane Ouattara received Abdoulaye Diop, President of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) Commission, at his residence in Abidjan on October 22, 2026. The meeting focused on the economic situation of the UEMOA, consolidation of achievements, financing mechanisms for national economies, and institutional reforms. This encounter is part of regular exchanges between President Ouattara, also the President of the UEMOA Conference of Heads of State and Government, and Abdoulaye Diop.
During the meeting, Abdoulaye Diop reported on the evolution of UEMOA's activities and gathered President Ouattara's guidance on key economic and institutional challenges facing the union. Diop presented a report on recent UEMOA activities, including his attendance at the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in Bangkok, Thailand. He highlighted the international financial community's satisfaction with UEMOA's economic dynamic and institutional governance advancements.
The discussions also covered the perspectives of consolidating the results obtained, with UEMOA member states needing to maintain economic growth and financial stability. Côte d'Ivoire's contribution to the regional economy was emphasized, as the country's experience in resource mobilization and investment financing could be shared with other member states. Diop stressed the importance of diversifying financing sources to ensure public finance viability in the medium and long term.
Institutional reforms within UEMOA were also addressed, including the evolution of the community's multilateral surveillance mechanism, essential for monitoring economic and budgetary policy convergence among member states. An act related to the UEMOA's convergence, stability, growth, and solidarity pact was submitted to President Ouattara for signature. The institutional process aims to advance the adoption of necessary texts and strengthen policy credibility.
The meeting allowed for a discussion on the sub-regional context and the main challenges UEMOA faces. Abdoulaye Diop expressed his gratitude to President Ouattara for his constant support to UEMOA's activities and the organization's progress. He emphasized the importance of President Ouattara's guidance in preserving UEMOA's dynamism and improving economic prospects for the community's populations.
The consolidation of economic achievements, improvement of institutional governance, and search for sustainable financing mechanisms remain major challenges for strengthening regional integration and supporting member countries' development. Through this exchange, Côte d'Ivoire and the UEMOA Commission reaffirm the importance of institutional dialogue and economic policy coordination to consolidate union results and durably address West African populations' expectations.
The meeting between President Alassane Ouattara and Abdoulaye Diop demonstrates the commitment to enhancing cooperation between UEMOA institutions and member state authorities. The discussions reflect the shared goal of promoting regional integration, economic growth, and improved governance within the UEMOA.
Key points
- The meeting between President Alassane Ouattara and Abdoulaye Diop highlights the efforts to strengthen regional integration and economic cooperation within the UEMOA.
- Côte d'Ivoire plays a significant role in the regional economy, and its experience in resource mobilization and investment financing can serve as a model for other member states.
- The UEMOA aims to consolidate its economic achievements, improve institutional governance, and secure sustainable financing mechanisms to support the development of its member countries.
