A training session for journalists from member states of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) on policies, governance, economic indicators, and the Union's projects opened this Monday in Cotonou, the capital of Benin. Scheduled to run until September 19, this meeting brings together journalists, experts, and representatives from the eight member countries to explore regional integration issues in greater depth.

The opening ceremony was chaired by Mr. Yawossi Batchassi, UEMOA Resident Representative in Benin. In his address, Mr. Léonard Dossou, President of the UEMOA Media Platform, praised the Commission's "concern for the media and its involvement in the inclusion process." However, he called for strengthening ties with media outlets specializing in economics, through training on macroeconomics, fact-checking, data journalism, and artificial intelligence.

Dossou announced the organization in 2026 of an International Forum of Journalists of West Africa, in collaboration with the Commission, on the theme "Innovating for the economic future of West Africa".

Mr. Batchassi, on behalf of the President of the Commission, Mr. Abdoulaye Diop, reaffirmed the institution's commitment to cooperate with journalists to promote economic integration.

The UEMOA Media Platform (PDM-UEMOA) is an international interprofessional non-governmental organization, created on July 14, 2021 in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), following an initiative launched in 2019 in Abidjan. Non-profit and governed by the 1901 law, it brings together media professionals from the eight member states to promote economic information, raise awareness of integration issues, and train journalists. It aims to collect, process, and disseminate data on UEMOA, while promoting the socialization and development of the media.

The West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), created in 1994 and comprising eight countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo), aims for economic integration through a common currency, the CFA franc, and a centralized Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO). With a population of 140 million and a combined GDP of approximately $200 billion, WAEMU recorded economic growth of 6.0% in 2024, projected at 6.3% in 2025 (BCEAO). Inflation has returned to the target range, and reserves are recovering, although divergences persist between countries. The Union's 2025 budget amounts to CFA francs 149.6 billion, an increase of 5.3%.