• IMF cuts WAEMU 2025 growth forecast to 5.9%

• Strong demand, services, and construction support regional activity

• Senegal downgraded sharply; Benin now fastest-growing at 7.0%
  

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, cut its growth forecast for the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) to 5.9% from 6.3%, according to its regional outlook. The World Bank kept its projection unchanged at 6.1%.

The IMF said activity across the eight-nation bloc remains strong, supported by robust domestic demand and solid gains in services, construction, public works, and primary industries.

Benin is expected to post the fastest growth in the union at 7.0%, up from 6.5% previously, driven by strong second-quarter performance, when GDP expanded 7.6% year-on-year versus 6.7% a year earlier.

Senegal’s forecast was sharply cut to 6.0% from 8.4%, despite 12.1% growth in the first quarter of 2025. Niger and Côte d’Ivoire are seen growing by 6.6% and 6.4%, respectively. Togo’s forecast was trimmed to 5.2% from 5.3%, while Guinea-Bissau’s remains unchanged at 5.1%. Mali and Burkina Faso are projected to grow by 5.0% and 4.0%.

The Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) said inflation is easing and could briefly turn negative, forecasting a -0.1% rate for October 2025.

WAEMU officials expect the region’s economy to grow 6.3% in 2025 — above the latest projections from both the IMF and World Bank.. 

Lydie Mobio