The Commission of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) launched the 7th edition of the "Mois du Consommer Local" (Local Consumption Month) on October 1, 2026, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The event was held under the presidency of the UEMOA Commission President. This year's edition is themed "Consommer local, facteur d'intégration régionale et de souveraineté économique de l'UEMOA face aux mutations du commerce mondial" (Consuming local, a factor of regional integration and economic sovereignty of UEMOA in the face of global trade changes).
The "Mois du Consommer Local" was instituted on October 25, 2019, by a meeting of ministers responsible for trade in UEMOA member states. The initiative aims to promote goods and services within the UEMOA region and support the development of productive activities. The goal is to create value-added products, attract investments, and generate employment and income for the populations of the Union. According to UEMOA, the region has a population of approximately 152 million inhabitants, with an estimated economic growth of 6.5% in 2025.
The representative of the UEMOA Commission President, Pr Filiga Michel Sawadogo, emphasized that this edition takes into account the sub-regional and international context, marked by the multiplication of tariff and non-tariff barriers and reduced market access facilities. He stressed the need for the Union to rethink its economic space in the face of these challenges. Sawadogo also highlighted that the exchanges between UEMOA member states remain weak, with only 13.1% of the Union's total trade in goods taking place within the region from 2022 to 2024.
The UEMOA Commission has developed a strategic plan for 2025-2030 to address these challenges. Sawadogo emphasized that the Commission's ambition is to make "Made in UEMOA" a mark of confidence, quality, security, and competitiveness, recognized by both local populations and international consumers. To achieve this, the Commission has opted for competitiveness rather than commercial barriers. The goal is to encourage member states to produce, transform, and exchange more within the region.
Augustin Bambara, representing the regional chamber of commerce, noted that UEMOA's economic growth is expected to remain sustained in 2026, with an inflation rate of around 1.6%. He encouraged companies to transform economic assets into opportunities, creating a market of opportunities that is conducive to outlets, supply, and investments. Bambara emphasized that the region's economic potential must be harnessed to promote growth and development.
Raoul Tiéné, representing the Burkinabé Minister of Trade, stated that the initiative aligns with Burkina Faso's orientations. The country has strengthened the development of small, medium, and large manufacturing industries, including the creation of tomato and cashew nut processing units, as well as factories such as BRAFASO and TEXFORCES-BF. Tiéné emphasized that these investments will only reach their full potential if their products are known and consumed within the region.
The program for the 7th edition of the "Mois du Consommer Local" includes a conference on the theme of the edition, an exhibition-sale, and a ceremony to award prizes for merit. The event aims to promote local consumption, regional integration, and economic sovereignty within the UEMOA region.
Key points
- UEMOA launches 7th edition of "Mois du Consommer Local" to promote regional integration and economic sovereignty.
