Financial Depth in the WAEMU

Financial Depth in the WAEMU
Author: Mr.Calixte Ahokpossi
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 23
Release: 2013-07-03
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1484309391

Financial depth in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has been uneven over the last two decades. The WAEMU countries are lagging behind other regions, particularly the High Growth Non-oil Exporters (HGNOEs) group. We use two complementary methodologies to compare the two groups of countries. In a panel of 16 countries over 1997–2009, we find that the financial gap between the two groups of countries can be explained by institutional factors. In a benchmarking exercise comparing the major economy in the WAEMU (Côte d’Ivoire) with the most structurally similar in the control group (Mozambique), we show that Côte d’Ivoire underperformed relative to Mozambique and to its estimated potential. We then identify policy and institutional asymmetries between the two countries that could explain the gap in performance.

West African Economic and Monetary Union

West African Economic and Monetary Union
Author: Patrick A. Imam
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 46
Release: 2013-10-22
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1484348222

The financial system in the WAEMU remains largely bank-based. The banking sector comprises 106 banks and 13 financial institutions, which together hold more than 90 percent of the financial system’s assets (about 54 percent of GDP at end-2011). Five banks account for 50 percent of banking assets. The ownership structure of the sector is changing fast, with the rapid rise of foreign-owned (pan-African) banks. This contributes to higher competition but also rising heterogeneity in the banking system, with large and profitable cross-country groups competing with often weaker country-based (and sometime government-owned) banks. Nonbank financial institutions are developing quickly, notably insurance companies, but remain overall small. This paper presents a detailed analysis of the banking system.

Financing Growth in the WAEMU Through the Regional Securities Market

Financing Growth in the WAEMU Through the Regional Securities Market
Author: Mame Astou Diouf
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 22
Release: 2012-10-18
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1475548206

The West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) regional securities market saw increasing activity in the last decade, but still fell short of supplying sufficient long-term financing for growth-enhancing public and private investment projects. In addition to providing an institutional background, this paper studies recent developments and the determinants of interest rates on the market—using yield curve and principal component analyses. It also identifies challenges and prospective reforms that could help the region reap the full benefits of a more dynamic securities market and assesses the potential systemic risk the market may pose for the region’s banking system.

Senegal

Senegal
Author: Patrick A. Imam
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 40
Release: 2013-10-22
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1484359143

This enhanced review of Senegal’s financial sector is one of several pilot reviews called for by the Executive Board in May 2012. The purpose of the reviews is to go beyond the traditional surveillance focus on banking system soundness and solvency by analyzing in more depth the interplay between financial development, macroeconomic and financial stability, and effectiveness of macroeconomic policies in low-income countries. Senegal is a member of the West African Economic and Monetary Union; a number of key macroeconomic and financial policies are designed and implemented at the union level. This study focuses on Senegal-specific issues. Another pilot study, to be prepared in the context of the next annual consultation on regional policies in early 2013, will focus on union-wide issues.

West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU)

West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU)
Author: International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 87
Release: 2014-03-21
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1475577605

This West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) IMF staff report focuses on common policies for member countries. The region continued to experience a strong upswing in 2013, and the immediate outlook is for further vigorous growth and moderate inflation. Delays in implementing reforms, at both the national and regional levels, are the principal medium-term risk. It highlights that with continued strong growth projected for the region, countries are encouraged to seek opportunities to strengthen fiscal sustainability while maintaining public investment efforts.

Making Finance Work for Africa

Making Finance Work for Africa
Author: Patrick Honohan
Publisher: World Bank Publications
Total Pages: 264
Release: 2007
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 0821369105

Drawing on its extensive experience in helping restructure and reform financial systems, the World Bank examines the state of African domestic financial systems in a global comparison. It identifies promising trends as well as pinpointing the major shortcomings that are observed across sub-Saharan Africa. Policy recommendations distinguish between those designed to make finance a more effective driver of economic growth and those designed to give low income, small-scale and other excluded groups better access to financial services.

Banking in Africa: Delivering on Financial Inclusion, Supporting Financial Stability

Banking in Africa: Delivering on Financial Inclusion, Supporting Financial Stability
Author: European Investment Bank
Publisher: European Investment Bank
Total Pages: 277
Release: 2018-11-21
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9286138482

In its fourth edition, this report focuses on recent developments in Africa's banking sectors and the policy options for all stakeholders. The study of banking sectors across all African sub-regions includes the results of the EIB survey of banking groups operating in Africa. Three thematic chapters address challenges and opportunities for financing investment in Africa: Crowding out of private sector lending by public debt issuance The state of bank recovery and resolution laws in Africa Policy options on how to finance infrastructure development. The report finds that in many African banking markets, the last two years saw a pause in financial deepening. However, a rising share of banking groups report improving market conditions and plan a structural expansion of their operations in Africa and a continued push for new technologies.

Short-Versus Long-Term Credit and Economic Performance

Short-Versus Long-Term Credit and Economic Performance
Author: Kodzo Gbenyo
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 35
Release: 2010-05-01
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1455200212

This paper studies the link between financial development and economic growth in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). Using panel data for WAEMU countries over the period 1995-2006, the results suggest that while financial development does support growth in the region, long-term bank financing has a greater impact on economic growth than short-term financing because long-term projects have higher returns adjusted for risks. Given that in the WAEMU short-term credit accounts for about 70 percent of credit to the private sector, WAEMU countries are less able to reap the full benefits of improvements in their financial systems. The results also highlight the importance of macroeconomic stability, a creditor-friendly environment, political stability, and the availability of long-term financial resources in fostering banks’ supply of long-term loans.

West African Economic and Monetary Union

West African Economic and Monetary Union
Author: International Monetary Fund
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 67
Release: 2011-05-06
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1455274496

In 2010, average inflation has remained low in all West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) countries, but has edged up in the second half of the year. After a moderate fiscal easing by about 11⁄2 percentage points of GDP in 2009, mostly the result of higher capital spending, the area-wide average deficit is estimated to have declined slightly to 3.1 percent of GDP in 2010. A compression of imports in 2009, the region’s external current account deficit is estimated to have returned to about 51⁄2 percent of GDP in 2010.

Building Integrated Economies in West Africa

Building Integrated Economies in West Africa
Author: Mr.Alexei Kireyev
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 404
Release: 2016-04-13
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1484324560

The West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) has a long and varied history, and this book examines how the WAEMU can achieve its development and stability objectives, improve the livelihood of its people, and enhance the inclusiveness of its economic growth, all while preserving its financial stability, enhancing its competitiveness, and maintaining its current fixed exchange rates.