The economy continues to grow at a fast pace, driven by port activity and cotton production. The execution of the 2019 budget is on track to bring the fiscal deficit within the WAEMU convergence criterion of 3 percent of GDP this year. Program implementation remains very satisfactory with all...

Economic activity has been recovering, driven by robust performance in the export and agricultural sectors. Fiscal consolidation efforts have continued; Togo complied with the WAEMU deficit convergence criteria in 2017 and 2018, two years ahead of the timeline agreed by member states; public debt...

Mali is a low-income fragile country facing significant development challenges that have intensified due to insurgency, terrorism, and social tensions. Implementation of the 2015 peace agreement is challenging, and the authorities have limited control over the North and Center regions. Mali's...

Niger faces daunting development challenges, aggravated by terrorist incursions, low uranium export prices, and climate change. Nonetheless, GDP growth picked up to 6.5 percent last year- and should average above 7 percent over the next five years thanks to reforms, substantial donor support,...

In light of widespread concern about the security crisis and protracted public sector pay disputes, the government resigned in January 2019. The new government, installed with a mission to combat the security crisis with more vigor, remains under tremendous pressure. Growth in 2018 remained...

Despite some electoral cycle-related uncertainties-the preparation and holding of the Presidential election in December 2018 and Parliamentary elections in May 2019-economic developments remained favorable in 2018 and the first months of 2019. Macroeconomic slippages were limited, with spending...