Panafrican News Agency

Mali to raise CFAF 1443 billion in WAEMU public securities this year

Bamako, Mali (PANA) - Last Monday, the Malian government officially launched its schedule of public securities issues for 2024, during a ceremony chaired by the Minister of Economy and Finance, Alousseni Sanou, in the presence of the Director of WAEMU-Securities, an official source told PANA.

In 2024, Mali plans to raise a total of CFAF 1,443 billion through 29 issues of public securities, including three by syndication.

The programme also provides for an issue by auction every 15 days, on Wednesdays, with a nominal amount of between 25 and 70 billion FCFA.

As a reminder, FCFA 1,012 billion were raised in 2023 against an initial target of FCFA 1,389 billion, a result achieved through 26 issues, including 24 by auction and two bond issues by Public Offering.

Siaka Samaké, National Director of the Treasury and Public Accounting, said: "Although this result falls short of the targets set, it is satisfactory given the particular context in which it was achieved." 

He recalled that the schedule of public securities issues was carried out against a backdrop of multiple challenges, including banks running out of steam, liquidity tensions, a low cover rate or the cancellation of certain issues, and the rise in financing costs due largely to the increase in key rates by the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO).

At the launch ceremony, Sanou explained the strategic political choice recently made by Mali with Burkina Faso and Niger.

"The countries of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) have decided to withdraw from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This decision, which is entirely voluntary, reflects the determination of the highest authorities of the State to give impetus to a new dynamic for the construction of a peaceful, sovereign, independent and prosperous State," said the Malian Minister of the Economy and Finance.

He added that his country remained a member of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU).

-0- PANA GT/JSG/BBA/RA 21Feb2024