WAEMU Coordination Drives Progress in Regional Economic Integration

Niamey, December 1, 2025 - Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine participated via secure videoconference in the first extraordinary session of the WAEMU Council of Ministers, held from the regional headquarters of the BCEAO. The four-hour session focused on harmonizing macroeconomic policies, strengthening regional payment systems, and removing barriers to trade facilitation-underscoring Niger’s sustained commitment to West African economic cooperation, despite ongoing political tensions with ECOWAS.

Technical discussions centered on the implementation of the WAEMU Regional Economic Program 2021-2025. Prime Minister Zeine outlined Niger’s priorities, particularly the development of agricultural value chains and the improvement of cross-border infrastructure connectivity.

The session concluded with an agreement to speed up the operationalization of the regional food security reserve mechanism, a measure deemed essential for Sahelian member states facing recurring production instability.