Senegal recorded a minor setback in 2025 concerning the execution of community reforms, policies, programs, and projects set forth by the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA). This occurred despite authorities generally deeming the overall results satisfactory.

The political phase of the 11th Annual Review of UEMOA’s 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% achieved in 2024. This year’s assessment encompassed 145 reforms, an increase from the 132 evaluated during the previous cycle.

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

Minister Cheikh Diba attributed this decline primarily to observed retreats in the management of reforms related to economic governance and convergence, which fell by 1.3 percentage points. Sectoral reforms also saw a significant drop of 6.03 points. However, progress within the common market, which rose by 0.91 points, partially mitigated this underperformance.

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

Despite this overall regression, several sectors demonstrated positive advancements. Notable progress was observed in harmonizing the legal, accounting, and statistical frameworks for public finances, showing an increase of 1.83 percentage points. The customs union improved by 4.55 points, while the agriculture, livestock, fishing, and environment sectors collectively advanced by 2.12 points. Human and social development saw a significant gain of 6.58 points, and energy and mines progressed by 3.33 points.

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

Commitments for a renewed trajectory

For the Minister of Finance and Budget, these results necessitate focused attention and immediate corrective actions. The Senegalese government is therefore committed to implementing the necessary measures to consolidate existing achievements, enhance performance, and progressively rectify the identified deficiencies.

Minister Diba indicated that substantial efforts are still required, particularly in finalizing document validation processes, ensuring the timely provision of supporting documentation, and effectively executing and monitoring community programs and projects.

The political phase of this review successfully validated the outcomes from the technical phase, reinforcing the dedication of the Senegalese administration and its highest authorities to the application of community reforms.

Cheikh Diba posited that, despite existing areas for further improvement, Senegal’s performance aligns with a broader dynamic observed across the Union’s member states, where significant progress in reform implementation has also been recorded.

The Minister reiterated that for Senegal, strengthening regional integration remains a paramount priority. In this context, the conclusions drawn from this political phase will be presented to Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko during an upcoming audience he will grant to the President of the UEMOA Commission.