Sénégal upholds strong UEMOA reform progress despite minor setbacks

Sénégal’s 2025 UEMOA review highlights steady progress with targeted improvements

Dakar witnessed a pivotal moment this week as the Sénégal government convened the political phase of the UEMOA’s annual review of community reforms, policies, programs, and projects. Chaired by the Minister of Finance and Budget, Cheikh Diba, the session brought together key figures including the President of the UEMOA Commission, Abdoulaye Diop, alongside senior government officials.

Established under Additional Act No. 05/2013 dated October 24, 2013, and conducted annually in Sénégal since 2014, this review has evolved into a biennial event following a decision made in Bissau in July 2023. Now in its eleventh edition, it serves as a critical tool for strengthening economic integration within the West African economic bloc. The technical phase, held in Dakar from November 10 to 12, 2025, examined 145 reforms and five projects before the political phase validated the findings this Monday.

Mixed results: progress in some sectors, challenges in others

The overall assessment of Sénégal’s reform implementation stands at an average rate of 76.45% for 2025, a slight decline from 78.59% in 2024. This 2.14-point drop reflects mixed performance across sectors. Notably, the culture and tourism sector (-15.10 points) and the crafts, quality, and business climate sector (-34.75 points) underperformed, compounded by delays in submitting the 2024 GUDEF report to the Commission.

On a brighter note, Sénégal achieved gains in critical areas such as the customs union (+4.55 points), human and social development (+6.58 points), energy and mining (+3.33 points), and harmonization of public finances (+1.88 point). These improvements underscore the country’s commitment to regional integration while highlighting areas requiring urgent attention.

Collaboration and next steps

The technical review was conducted in a collaborative spirit by Sénégal’s teams and the Commission’s experts, described as fraternal, professional, and objective. The findings will be presented by Commissioner Mahamadou Gado, responsible for Economic Policies and Domestic Taxation.

Cheikh Diba reaffirmed the government’s determination to enhance its regional performance, announcing that the political phase’s conclusions will be submitted directly to the Prime Minister during a meeting with the Commission’s President. He also praised the facilitative role of Amadou Tchambou, the Commission’s Resident Representative in Dakar, in bridging the gap between the regional institution and national administrations.

Abdoulaye Diop commended President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s dedication to regional integration, as well as the support of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and the entire government in fulfilling the Union’s objectives.