WAEMU Industrial Output Jumps 8% as Services, Trade Drive Growth
TLDR
- Industrial production in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) slipped 0.2% in May from April, following a 2.5% decline the previous month
- Construction remained robust, with activity above the long-term average (+4.6 points), led by Benin, Senegal, and Burkina Faso
- Trade rebounded strongly, rising 6.1% in May after a 3.7% fall in April, boosted by retail (+4.8 points) and wholesale activity (+1.8 points)
Industrial production in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) slipped 0.2% in May from April, following a 2.5% decline the previous month, the regional statistics agency said. The monthly fall was led by manufacturing, which lost 2.2 points.
On an annual basis, however, output rose 7.9%, supported by mining (+6.4 points) and manufacturing (+0.7 points), underlining the industry’s role in regional growth.
Construction remained robust, with activity above the long-term average (+4.6 points), led by Benin, Senegal, and Burkina Faso. In contrast, Mali, Niger, and Togo recorded sharp contractions, reflecting persistent disparities within the union.
Trade rebounded strongly, rising 6.1% in May after a 3.7% fall in April, boosted by retail (+4.8 points) and wholesale activity (+1.8 points). Yearly, turnover grew 4.2%.
Market services also strengthened, expanding 8.6% year-on-year. Financial services rose 16.6%, with Senegal, Niger, and Mali posting the strongest gains.
The data highlights WAEMU’s resilience, with industry, construction, trade, and services showing positive momentum despite uneven national performances.
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Key Takeaways
The WAEMU economy continues to demonstrate resilience, with strong annual growth in industry, services, and trade offsetting short-term declines in manufacturing. Mining remains a critical growth driver, while construction activity underscores varying investment climates across member states — buoyant in Senegal and Benin, but subdued in Mali and Niger. Services are increasingly central to the union’s diversification story, with double-digit gains in financial intermediation reflecting modernization and rising demand for banking and digital platforms. Meanwhile, trade recovery signals strengthening consumption, particularly in retail and automotive segments. These trends suggest WAEMU is navigating external shocks — from commodity volatility to regional insecurity — with a relatively diversified base. Sustained reforms in infrastructure, energy, and services integration could help lock in resilience and position the bloc for stronger medium-term growth.
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