Selected Issues Papers

Domestic Revenue Mobilization (DRM) is essential for financing economic and social development and ensuring debt sustainability in WAEMU, particularly in light of rising interest, high security spending, and the prospective reduction in foreign aid. While DRM has generally improved over the past two decades, it remains below the former target and exhibits significant disparities across countries, affected by structural challenges – such as narrow tax bases, limited enforcement capacity, and widespread informality. Strengthening tax policy and revenue administration (by streamlining tax systems, rationalizing exemptions, and improving compliance), supported by enhanced regional oversight and cooperation, is critical to ensuring sustainable revenue mobilization.