Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara said during his visit to Gabon that the launch of the future common currency of the member countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Eco, will probably be delayed, beyond 2027. The causes are linked to the economic damage of the war in Ukraine and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Le président ivoirien a annoncé que “des Discussions continue to be held, both at the level of Heads of State and the ECOWAS Commission.” For him, “significant progress on the issue of convergence, particularly in terms of inflation, growth and the deficit.” According to him, “the pandemic has unfortunately created a deficit and significant inflation rates, especially in countries with currencies with flexible exchange rates, a situation that does not allow the ECO to be implemented for a few years.”