Assimi Goïta held talks with Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, Governor of the Central Bank of West African States, during a meeting at the Koulouba Palace in Bamako to review Mali’s economic performance and recent monetary developments in the West African Economic and Monetary Union.
The meeting, attended by a BCEAO delegation, forms part of regular consultations between national authorities and the regional monetary institution responsible for implementing common monetary policy across the union’s eight member states.
Discussions highlighted Mali’s macroeconomic outlook, with growth reported above 6 percent and inflation around 2 percent, close to the WAEMU community benchmark.
The talks followed a recent decision by the BCEAO Monetary Policy Committee to cut its key interest rates by 25 basis points, a move set to take effect on March 16, 2026, amid declining inflation and sustained economic activity across the union.
Regional data show WAEMU’s economy grew by about 6.7 percent in 2025, up from 6.2 percent in 2024, while inflation pressures have eased since the food and energy price shocks recorded in 2022 and 2023.
Discussions also addressed the operational presence of the BCEAO in Mali, which maintains offices in Bamako, Sikasso, Mopti and Kayes, the latter inaugurated in January 2025, with the expansion aimed at improving currency circulation, supporting banking operations and facilitating economic activity across the country.
