The BCEAO is preparing a regional financial education programme. Moreover, it is for the needs of this important project that a regional consultation workshop on financial education opened on Monday, October 28, at the headquarters of the issuing institution, in Dakar. This important meeting aims to find ways and means for better financial education for disadvantaged strata.

In front of an audience of actors, financial experts and bankers, the Vice-Governor of the BCEAO, representing the Governor prevented, noted the relevance of the theme of the seminar in the ambition to promote better financial inclusion of populations.

"Several studies have found that populations, especially vulnerable ones, do not dare to approach financial institutions because they do not feel confident enough to do so or because they are unaware of how they operate. This observation shows that the lack of financial education hinders the inclusion of vulnerable populations and especially those of young people, women and rural populations," said Norbert Toe, in his opening remarks.

In fact, through financial education, it is possible to promote greater access to financial services for populations. "Thus, by allowing people to improve their knowledge of financial products and services, by developing their skills in basic finance, by strengthening their trust in institutions, financial education contributes to broad access to financial services and judicious use of the services offered," said the Vice-Governor of the BCEAO.

At the end of this two-day workshop, a regional financial education programme is expected to be validated. This is a strong desire of the BCEAO which, through this program, hopes to bring an improvement in the quality of life of the populations.

"The regional financial education programme wanted by the Central Bank and to be validated during this workshop stems from the desire of the issuing institute to improve the quality of life of the populations of the Union. Its development process did not deviate from the participatory approach adopted by the Central Bank for all its major projects," said Deputy Governor Norbert Toe.

The "coordinated and effective" implementation of the actions included in the draft regional programme will thus enable "the people of the Union" to "receive a financial education that meets their needs."