Press Release No. 14/118

Press Release: IMF Executive Board Concludes Article IV Consultation with West African Economic and Monetary Union

March 21, 2014

On March 14 2014, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the annual Discussion on Common Policies of Member Countries of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU).¹

The political and security situation in the region has stabilized. Peaceful elections took place in Mali and Togo and further progress has been made towards normalization in Côte d’Ivoire.

Regional growth remained strong and inflation moderate in 2013. After rebounding to 6.6 percent in 2012, regional growth reached 5.5 percent last year. This performance was driven by the post-crisis recovery in Côte d’Ivoire, public investment efforts, good harvests in several countries, and the beginning of oil production in Niger. Growth was particularly strong in Côte d’Ivoire, at about 9 percent, but also exceeded 5 percent in Benin, Burkina Faso, and Togo. The economy remained weak in Guinea-Bissau, and the drought in the Sahel took a heavy toll on GDP growth in post-crisis Mali. Regional inflation decreased to 1.6 percent, thanks to lower food prices.

Despite a substantial increase in public investment in 2013, the area-wide fiscal deficit (including grants) stabilized at about 3 percent of GDP. The composition of spending shifted in favor of investment, while grants and tax revenue increased in most countries. The average public debt ratio for the region recorded a small decline to about 39 percent of GDP. Monetary policy was further eased. The Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) lowered the policy rates by 50 basis points in 2013 and increased liquidity injections as bank liquidity contracted and inflationary pressures remained moderate. Money growth remained moderate as the decline of net foreign assets was offset by strong growth in credit to the economy. Bank lending rates recorded a small decrease.

The area-wide current account deficit continued to increase in 2013 mainly owing to higher public investment and a sharp decline in gold prices. The current account deficit (including official transfers) widened to 6.7 percent in 2013. Imports of intermediate goods, equipment, and services were boosted by higher public investment in most countries. Gold exports, which now represent about 20 percent of total regional exports, dropped on account of falling international gold prices. The overall balance of payments recorded a slight deficit, which led to a small decline of official reserves to 4.7 months of next year’s extra-regional imports.

The regional surveillance framework is being reviewed to improve fiscal policy coordination. The existing criteria and enforcement mechanism suffer from a number of shortcomings. For instance, the key criterion on the basic fiscal deficit has often been violated and after debt relief the debt criterion is no longer constraining. In light of these issues, the WAEMU Commission has launched a review of the whole framework.

Executive Board Assessment²

Directors welcomed the strong growth performance and moderate inflation in the region and noted that the near-term outlook is for continued strong growth. Directors underscored that sustaining this momentum in the medium term, while preserving macroeconomic stability, will require consolidating improvements in regional security, high-quality public investment, and ambitious growth-enhancing reforms. Regional policies to improve competitiveness, foster economic, financial and trade integration, and financial sector development will enhance growth and strengthen resilience.

Directors viewed the current macroeconomic policy mix as appropriate. In light of the widening current account deficit and declining official reserves, they supported a pause in monetary easing. Given the strong growth outlook, Directors also encouraged the authorities to strengthen fiscal and debt sustainability and build buffers while maintaining public investment and expanding social safety nets. They emphasized the importance of additional efforts to improve the quality of spending and increase revenue mobilization.

Directors underscored the need to improve fiscal policy coordination, and they welcomed the ongoing review of the regional surveillance framework. Directors agreed that convergence criteria should aim at preserving fiscal and external sustainability, and that they should be simple and transparent, while leaving policy room for countries to respond to shocks. Adopting a participatory approach to the reform of the framework would increase ownership and compliance. Directors also recommended progress in the coordination of public finance management, debt management, and tax policy.

Directors welcomed the ongoing financial sector reforms, and looked forward to faster implementation. To foster financial deepening, priority should be given to developing the interbank and sovereign debt markets. Directors underscored that efforts to strengthen bank supervision should continue, so as to increase observance of prudential rules. Given that some of these rules need to be brought closer to international standards, Directors welcomed the authorities’ intention to move to Basel II and III regulation. They recommended tightening certain prudential rules in the meantime. They also encouraged further improving the crisis prevention and resolution framework.

Directors stressed the importance of enhancing regional trade integration for creating new opportunities, sustaining high growth, and increasing resilience. They encouraged coordinated action to remove nontariff barriers to trade, fill regional infrastructure gaps, and improve the business and legal environments. Directors noted the important role that structural transformation and diversification will have to play in fostering long-run growth. Efforts should also continue to improve the quality and timeliness of data.

The views expressed by Executive Directors today will form part of the Article IV consultation discussions on individual member states that take place until the next Board discussion of WAEMU common policies.