Senegal maintains solid standing in 2025 UEMOA regional review despite slight reform dip
Senegal evaluates progress in latest UEMOA regional integration review
In Dakar, the Minister of Finance and Budget, Cheikh Diba, led the political phase of the annual assessment regarding UEMOA’s community reforms, policies, and projects. This high-level meeting saw the participation of Abdoulaye Diop, President of the UEMOA Commission, alongside several government officials, to validate the progress made by the nation within the regional bloc.
This evaluation, which has been conducted in Sénégal since 2014 and transitioned to a biannual format following a 2023 decision in Bissau, serves as a vital instrument for deepening economic integration. The review allows the Union’s executive bodies to measure the impact of collective actions defined under the Union Treaty. The current session follows a technical phase held from November 10 to 12, 2025, which scrutinized 145 distinct reforms and five major projects.
Analyzing the 2025 implementation performance
The latest findings indicate a generally positive trajectory, though there has been a marginal decline in overall execution. Sénégal recorded a 76.45% implementation rate for community reforms in 2025, representing a 2.14 percentage point decrease from the 78.59% achieved the previous year. This slight downturn is largely attributed to challenges in specific sectors, including culture and tourism, which saw a drop of 15.10 points, and the business climate and craftsmanship sector, which fell by 34.75 points. A delay in submitting the 2024 GUDEF report to the Commission also impacted the final score.
Despite these setbacks, several key areas demonstrated significant growth. Notable improvements were seen in the Customs Union, which rose by 4.55 points, and human and social development, which climbed by 6.58 points. Additionally, the energy and mining sectors improved by 3.33 points, while efforts to harmonize public finances saw a 1.88-point increase.
Strengthening regional cooperation and governance
The political validation was the culmination of collaborative technical efforts between Sénégalese experts and the Commission’s teams. Mahamadou Gado, the Commissioner for Economic Policy and Internal Taxation, presented the synthesis of these findings. The atmosphere of the proceedings was characterized by professionalism and a shared commitment to regional objectives.
Minister Cheikh Diba reiterated the government’s dedication to enhancing its performance within the community. He announced that the outcomes of this political phase would be presented directly to Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko during an upcoming audience. Furthermore, the Minister acknowledged the facilitative role played by Amadou Tchambou, the Commission’s Resident Representative in Dakar, in bridging the gap between regional institutions and national administrations.
Reflecting on the broader political landscape, Abdoulaye Diop praised the commitment of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye toward regional integration. He also recognized the support of the Prime Minister and the entire cabinet in advancing the mission of the UEMOA across the region.
