The index of products exported by WAEMU recorded a 4.8% decline. A situation explained by the drop in prices of oil, gold, cotton, among others.
« The decline in oil prices is explained by the easing of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the gradual normalization of maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz during June, which reduced the risk premium factored in by markets, » states the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) in its monthly economic report on WAEMU countries. Conversely, the note specifies, prices for palm oil (+9.4%), cocoa (+5.6%), rubber (+5.1%), phosphate (+1.9%) and zinc (+1.6%) strengthened over the period.
WAEMU’s Main Export Products Still Down
Compared to June 2025, the price index for key products exported by WAEMU countries fell by 7.9%, after a 4.9% drop the previous month. This decrease concerns prices for cocoa (-47.7%), coffee (-12.7%) and cashew nuts (-8.1%). On the other hand, prices for rubber (+39.9%), zinc (+33.3%), gold (+26.3%), oil (+17.0%), uranium (+15.8%), cotton (+14.9%), vegetable oils (+13.7%), natural gas (+12.0%) and phosphate (+9.6%) rose.
Like the price index for exported basic products, that of main imported food products also fell by 1.6% in June 2026, after an 8.5% increase recorded the previous month. According to the BCEAO, this change results from lower prices for wheat (-7.1%), milk (-5.1%), soybean oil (-3.2%) and sugar (-2.1%). In contrast, rice prices (+1.6%) rose over the period under review.
CFA Franc Down in West Africa in June 2026
Compared to the same period in 2025, the price index (in foreign currency) for main food products imported by WAEMU countries rose by 1.5%, after a 7.1% increase the previous month. This change is mainly due to stronger prices for vegetable oils (+44.2%) and wheat (+8.1%). Conversely, prices for milk (-14.0%), rice (-7.7%) and sugar (-3.6%) declined.
Regarding the CFA franc, the note highlights a 1.4% drop in West Africa in June 2026 compared to the previous month. This is explained by its weakening against the Liberian dollar (-1.7%), the naira (-1.5%), the Guinean franc (-1.4%) and the Ghanaian cedi (-1.2%). However, over the same period, the WAEMU currency appreciated against the leone (+1.5%) and the Gambian dalasi (+0.4%).
Over one year, the CFA franc fell by 8.1% against the currencies of other West African countries. Specifically, the CFA franc depreciated against the naira (-11.6%), the Liberian dollar (-8.4%) and the leone (-0.6%). In contrast, the community currency strengthened against the cedi (+11.5%), the dalasi (+3.5%) and the Guinean franc (+1.5%).
