In its monthly note on the economic situation for August 2020, the Bceao analyzed the construction sector in the WAEMU. It informs that during the month of August 2020, the survey of business leaders reports the continued decline in activity in the building and public works (Btp) sector.

According to the Bceao, the synthetic economic index, which summarizes the sentiment of construction industry players, remains in negative territory, falling from -11.6 in July 2020 to -10.2 in August 2020. It underlines that the decline in the activity in the construction industry would be linked to the reduction in demand for works (fall in the signing of new contracts leading to a decline in new works), the deterioration of supply conditions (rise in operating costs and scarcity of labor) and lower credits for investment purposes.

Compared to the same period of the previous year, a drop in the volume of activity was observed in all the building and public works compartments. All UEMOA member states are affected by this downturn, with the exception of Senegal and Benin where business leaders have indicated a marked improvement in activity.