Lom©: Debt in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) zone remains moderate, but some countries have exceeded the critical threshold of 70% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), warned the Director of Strategy and Studies of the West African Development Bank (BOAD), Ambroise Kafando.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Mr. Kafando stated, "Our Union is an area where debt remains moderate. However, there are warning signs: some countries have crossed the threshold of 70% of GDP. For most states, we are seeing accelerated debt growth." Faced with the risk of over-indebtedness, he recommended the implementation of regulatory measures. He was speaking at the opening of the first BOAD Development Days, held on June 12 and 13, 2025, in Lom©, and devoted to the energy transition and sustainable agriculture.
Ambroise Kafando also highlighted other challenges such as growing insecurity, climate vulnerability, low digital coverage (35%), high energy costs, deteriorating road infrastructure, insufficient vocational training, an unemployment rate of 12%, and persistent poverty exceeding 40% in several countries. "Our economies still lack competitiveness, particularly due to the high cost of energy and an inefficient logistics network," he stressed.
Despite this, WAEMU economies are showing resilience, with average growth of 5.6% over the past five years, reaching 6.2% in 2024, and good prospects for 2025. This dynamism is supported by an investment rate of 25%, the strengthening of monetary and regional surveillance policies, and increased partnership with financial institutions. Inflation, which had increased due to international tensions, is now tending to approach the community threshold of 3%, providing a more stable macroeconomic framework.
Ambroise Kafando also commended the region's many assets: a predominantly young population, a domestic market of 133 million consumers, abundant natural resources, and strong potential for economic transformation. He noted BOAD's central role in this dynamic. Between 2021 and 2025, the Bank invested 3,310 billion CFA francs, exceeding its targets. These funds, through leverage, mobilized an additional 4,510 billion CFA francs.
"This funding has had a concrete impact on the ground: 3,842 kilometers of roads rehabilitated, more than 300,000 m³ of drinking water available per day, 1,440 MW of energy installed, 200,000 hectares irrigated, 27,000 homes built, 8,195 classrooms opened, and 23,000 SMEs supported," he explained. Regarding the fight against climate change, 700 billion CFA francs have been mobilized to strengthen economies' resilience, benefiting 14 million people with adaptation measures and avoiding 10 million tons of CO2 emissions.
The BOAD Development Days gathered experts, decision-makers, and investors to seek innovative financing solutions and strengthen private sector involvement in agriculture and energy. BOAD President Serge Eku© expressed his ambition to make these meetings permanent.