Senegal’s 2025 UEMOA review highlights balanced achievements amid reform challenges
Dakar played host to the political phase of the 2025 UEMOA annual review, where Finance and Budget Minister Cheikh Diba presided over discussions alongside UEMOA Commission President Abdoulaye Diop and government officials. This eleventh edition of the assessment, now held biennially following a 2023 decision in Bissau, evaluates Senegal’s implementation of community-driven reforms, policies, programs, and projects under the Union’s Treaty framework.
The technical phase, conducted from November 10 to 12, 2025, scrutinized 145 reforms and 5 projects before the political validation session on Monday. The collaborative process involved joint working sessions between Senegalese officials and UEMOA teams, described as “fraternal, professional, and objective.” The synthesis of findings will be presented by Commissioner Mahamadou Gado, responsible for Economic Policies and Domestic Taxation.
Mixed progress with notable setbacks
The overall reform implementation rate for Senegal stands at 76.45% in 2025, a slight decline from 78.59% in 2024—a drop of 2.14 percentage points. This dip stems primarily from underwhelming outcomes in the culture and tourism sectors (-15.10 points) and the crafts, quality, and business climate (-34.75 points), compounded by delays in submitting the 2024 GUDEF report to the Commission. However, progress was recorded in key areas such as customs union (+4.55 points), human and social development (+6.58 points), energy and mining (+3.33 points), and public finance harmonization (+1.88 point).
Government commits to stronger regional integration
Minister Cheikh Diba reaffirmed the administration’s dedication to enhancing UEMOA compliance, announcing that the review’s conclusions would be presented directly to the Prime Minister during an audience with the Commission President. Diba also praised Amadou Tchambou, UEMOA’s Resident Representative in Dakar, for his instrumental role in fostering collaboration between the regional body and Senegalese institutions.
President Abdoulaye Diop commended President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s commitment to regional integration, as well as the support from Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and the entire government in advancing the Union’s objectives.
This eleventh review underscores both the strengths and areas needing reinforcement in Senegal’s journey toward deeper economic integration within the UEMOA framework.
