IMF Staff Country Report-West African Economic and Monetary Union: Staff Report on Common Policies for Member Countries

May 19, 2025--Summary
Economic growth continues to be strong in the WAEMU, while inflation has fallen back to its target range. An appropriately tight monetary policy, along with progress in reducing external imbalances, is supporting a strong recovery in reserves back above the lower end of the adequacy range. However, there is significant divergence among WAEMU member states in macroeconomic performance, policies, and resilience.

In addition, public debt ratios have been significantly increasing in recent years and are particularly high in some member states. The region remains vulnerable to potential shocks, notably delays in oil production, falls in commodity prices (notably cocoa and gold), and constraints on external financing.

East Africa's regional 20 share index

June 24, 2025-The National Securities Exchange of Somalia (NSES) is joining the Somali Stock Exchange as a member of the East African Securities Exchanges Association (EASEA), which brings together the exchanges of Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda and Ethiopia, as well as Burundi when that exchange will be launched.

African Credit Rating Agency to Launch September 2025

June 16, 2025--The African Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA), a new privately owned credit rating body, is set to begin operations by September 2025
The agency is backed by private sector stakeholders across Africa, not governments, to ensure independence and credibility