WAEMU: BCEAO Keeps Key Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns

Economic governance

Tuesday, 10 December 2024 13:46

WAEMU: BCEAO Keeps Key Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns

(Togo First) - The Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) has decided to keep its main key interest rate at 3.5%, unchanged since late 2023. This decision was made during the 4th Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting on December 5, 2024, in Dakar, reflecting a cautious stance as inflation remains above the 3% target for the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) zone.

BCEAO Governor Jean-Claude Kassi Brou reported that inflation stabilized at 4.1% in the third quarter of 2024, with an expected average of 3.6% for the year. However, he warned of potential risks for inflation in 2025 due to factors like climate conditions, geopolitical tensions, and fluctuations in energy and food prices.

On the macroeconomic front, the UEMOA zone is experiencing strong growth, projected at 6% for 2024, up from 5.3% in 2023. Efforts to mobilize external resources and improve trade terms have bolstered foreign exchange reserves. Additionally, the budget deficit has decreased to 4.5% of GDP from 5% the previous year.

Despite these positive developments, BCEAO remains cautious about external vulnerabilities and inflation pressures, which justifies keeping the key rates steady. “In the coming months, the Monetary Policy Committee will continue to monitor inflation and the economic, financial and monetary situation. If necessary, it will take appropriate measures to ensure the Union's monetary and financial stability,” said Jean-Claude Kassi Brou.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Lire aussi:

REFORMS OVERVIEW

STARTING A BUSINESS (more info)

At the fifteenth position, worldwide, and first in Africa, under the Starting a Business index of the 2020 Doing Business ranking, Togo sustains its reformative dynamics with more reforms….

ENFORCING CONTRACTS (more info)

Compared to some years ago when it was one of the lowest rankers under the Doing Business’ Enforcing Contracts indicator, Togo, leveraging many efforts to improve its business climate, was able to jump significantly on the index in the recent years... .

CONTRACT EXECUTION (more info)

Creation of special chambers of commerce for small debts • Creation of chambers of commerce at the Court of Appeal • Civil and commercial cases now handled by distinct clerks • Establishment of commercial courts in Lomé and Kara • Lawyers and bailiffs now have access to the FORSETI COMMERCIAL platform • A maximum period of 100 days was fixed to settle a commercial dispute .

TRADING ACROSS BORDERS (more info)

In comparison to previous years,Togo has significantly improved its ranking under the“Trading across borders” indicator by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

In comparison to previous years, Togo has significantly improved its ranking on the “Trading across borders” index by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitalization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

CONSTRUCTION PERMIT (more info)

After moving from the 133rd to 127th place under the 2020 Doing Business’ construction permit index, Togo intends to reiterate this feat in the coming edition of the global ranking. To this end, it has introduced this year multiple reforms.

GETTING ELECTRICITY (more info)

Over the past two years, Togo’s ranking under the Doing Business’ Getting electricity and water indicator has increased consistently. Owing this performance to multiple reforms aimed at making it easier for businesses to access power and water, Lomé plans to introduce even more reforms this year to keep up its improvements.

REGISTERING A PROPERTY (more info)

Out of all the 'Doing Business’ indicators, Property Registration is where Togo has improved the most since 2018. Indeed, after spending years in the lowest part of this ranking, the country now seeks to beat Rwanda which is the best performer on this index in Africa. To do so, Lomé has been introducing many reforms, with the latest batch implemented this year.

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT (more info)

From professionalization to digitization, through legislative regulations, Togo’s public procurement framework is constantly being modernized. Several reforms have been implemented to improve the sector much to the benefit of the private sector, which is the focus of the National Development Plan.

PAYING TAXES AND DUTIES (more info)

To improve its business environment, Togo introduced some important reforms related to the payment of tax and duties. From the replacement of some taxes to the cancellation of others through exemptions, the country has only one objective: offer the most attractive tax framework to investors and economic operators. To achieve this, the authorities relied on digitization.