CEDEAO Commission President, General Birame DIOP, led a delegation to the headquarters of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in Washington D.C. on September 28-29, 2026. The visit aimed to deepen cooperation with major international financial institutions and mobilize support for the CEDEAO regional development program. High-level consultations were held with IMF officials, including Professor Ouattara WAUTABOUNA, Executive Director of the West African Group, and Zeine ZEIDANE, Director of the IMF's Africa Department.
Discussions focused on West Africa's economic prospects, regional integration, macroeconomic stability, and the challenges of consolidating peace. The CEDEAO delegation and IMF officials also explored ways to enhance collaboration, building on an existing protocol between the two institutions. The goal is to strengthen IMF support for accelerating regional economic and monetary integration, particularly with the planned launch of the ECO, a single currency for CEDEAO, in 2027.
At the World Bank, the CEDEAO delegation met with Ousmane DIAGANA, Vice President for West and Central Africa. He reaffirmed the World Bank's commitment to supporting CEDEAO and its member states in strengthening regional integration, infrastructure development, food security, human capital development, and economic transformation. The parties reviewed progress on ongoing programs and discussed new opportunities for cooperation.
The World Bank highlighted CEDEAO's strategic role as a regional platform for promoting stability, economic cooperation, and development in West Africa. A high-level mission to the CEDEAO Commission is planned for the third week of November 2026 to review institutional portfolios, assess progress, and identify areas for strengthened collaboration and resource mobilization.
The meetings reaffirmed the shared commitment of CEDEAO, the IMF, and the World Bank to promoting sustainable development, enhancing economic resilience, and accelerating transformative programs to improve living standards across the region. The CEDEAO Commission President emphasized the importance of partnerships in achieving regional development goals.
General Birame DIOP's visit to the IMF and World Bank underscores the growing recognition of CEDEAO's role in regional integration and economic development. The CEDEAO Commission is working to strengthen its partnerships with international institutions to support the region's growth and development agenda.
The planned launch of the ECO in 2027 is a key aspect of CEDEAO's regional integration efforts. The single currency aims to facilitate economic transactions and promote deeper economic integration among member states. The IMF and World Bank have expressed support for the initiative, which is expected to boost economic cooperation and stability in the region.
Key points
- CEDEAO Commission President Birame DIOP meets with IMF, World Bank officials to boost cooperation on regional development, ECO launch.
- The parties discuss ways to strengthen IMF support for accelerating regional economic and monetary integration, particularly with the planned launch of the ECO in 2027.
- A high-level mission to the CEDEAO Commission is planned for November 2026 to review institutional portfolios and identify areas for strengthened collaboration and resource mobilization.
