The Cotonou breakthrough: Mobilizing domestic savings for economic independence
The 2026 edition of the Regional Shareholding Expo in Cotonou marked a decisive turning point for West Africa’s financial future. Against a backdrop of persistent challenges in development financing and mounting pressure to reduce reliance on external capital, regional leaders converged to champion a radical shift in investment culture across the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA).
Themed “Shareholding and Financial Sovereignty: Leveraging Savings to Fast-Track Economic Transformation”, the two-day event underscored a stark reality: despite robust growth across the UEMOA zone, local financial markets remain critically underutilized in capturing domestic savings potential.
From dormant funds to growth engines: The power of local investment
Organizers and regulators alike emphasized that unlocking the dormant savings of millions could serve as a transformative force. By redirecting savings often parked in short-term or low-yield instruments into productive investments, the region could channel vital equity capital into small businesses, large enterprises, and critical infrastructure projects.
The discussions at the expo zeroed in on three transformative avenues:
- Expanding capital market access: Simplifying initial public offerings (IPOs) for local enterprises and revitalizing the Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières (BRVM) to attract broader participation.
- Bridging the digital divide: Using fintech innovations to demystify investing and bring capital market opportunities directly to the public, paired with targeted financial literacy campaigns.
- Shaping supportive policies: Revising tax incentives, regulatory frameworks, and public funding mechanisms to permanently steer savings toward private sector growth and infrastructure development.
Why this matters: A shield against global volatility
Speakers from the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), the UEMOA Commission, and the regional financial authority stressed the strategic necessity of this shift. Localized financing strengthens economic resilience, insulating countries from external shocks and reducing vulnerability to unpredictable international market swings.
As delegates wrapped up discussions in Cotonou, a consensus emerged: the time has come for every citizen in the UEMOA region to play an active role in shaping the continent’s economic destiny through shared investment in local enterprises and markets.
This is not merely about economic policy—it’s about reclaiming agency, building self-reliance, and turning local savings into a powerful catalyst for sustainable growth.