Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara is urging the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to introduce a common regional currency by 2026, a year earlier than the planned timeline.
After meeting with Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo in Abidjan, Ouattara expressed Ivory Coast’s readiness, stating that the country will meet the necessary convergence criteria by next year.
ECOWAS, which has pursued this project for over two decades, had previously set a 2027 deadline, but progress has been hindered by challenges in meeting key economic benchmarks, including reducing budget deficits, lowering inflation, accumulating sufficient foreign reserves, and limiting central bank financing of member states.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to regional economic integration and the goal of establishing a monetary union.
