Lomé, June 25, 2025 – The West African Development Bank (BOAD) continues its commitment to financing development in the UEMOA. Meeting via videoconference for its 146th ordinary session, the institution’s Board of Directors, chaired by Serge Ekue, approved 13 new operations for a total amount of 273.3 billion FCFA, bringing BOAD’s cumulative financing since 1976 to 9,774.5 billion FCFA.
In addition to approving the minutes of the previous session held in Dakar, the directors praised the mid-term performance of the 2025 exercise and gave a favorable opinion on the status of debt recovery as of May 31.
Diversified financing in eight UEMOA countries
The 13 approved projects reflect a willingness to support various sectors: industrial development, infrastructure, security, energy, training, social housing, and support for the private sector. Among the major operations:
- Burkina Faso: support of 36 billion FCFA to FBDES to support high-potential businesses and strengthen the fund’s capacities.
- Ivory Coast:
- 15 billion FCFA for the construction of a cocoa processing plant by JB Cocoa in Akoupé-Zeudji,
- 10 billion FCFA for the reconstruction of three markets in Yopougon,
- 37 billion FCFA for the construction of 1,100 social housing units in Yamoussoukro and Bouaké.
- Niger: 14 billion FCFA for road infrastructure reinforcement in Niamey to improve urban mobility.
- Senegal:
- 40 billion FCFA to strengthen communication means for internal security forces in Dakar, Diamniadio, and Saly,
- 30 billion FCFA for Senelec to partially settle its debt to independent electricity producers.
- Benin: 30 billion FCFA for phase 2 of the construction of three technical high schools in Cotonou, Abomey-Calavi, and Djakotomey.
- Burkina Faso: 30 billion FCFA to strengthen the operational capacities of the Boungou and Wahgnion mines.
- Guinea-Bissau:
- 7.45 billion FCFA for the construction of a 15 MW diesel thermal power plant in Bor,
- 8.85 billion FCFA for the capacity development of the PETROGAL company.
- Mali:
- 5 billion FCFA to expand the capacities of the butane gas filling center in Sala (Fouta Gaz),
- 10 billion FCFA for a refinancing line for AFG Bank Mali, aimed at financing SMEs.
Governance strengthening and acknowledgments
The Council members also reviewed the reports of the 50th meeting of the BOAD Audit Committee and the conclusions of the ordinary session of the UEMOA Council of Ministers held on April 3 in Dakar.
In conclusion, President Serge Ekue praised the professionalism of the teams that ensured the smooth running of the work and reaffirmed BOAD’s commitment to supporting structuring projects for the economies of the UEMOA
