The Council of Territorial Authorities of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (CCT-UEMOA) held its Ordinary General Assembly on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, on the theme: "Resource Mobilization for the Benefit of Territorial Authorities: Challenges and Opportunities." The official opening of the two-day meeting (November 25 and 26) was chaired by Mr. Oumar Ba, President of the CCT-UEMOA, in the presence of Mr. Amadou Tchambou, Resident Representative of the UEMOA Commission in Senegal; Mr. Amadou Koné, President of the Union of Cities and Communes of Côte d'Ivoire (UVICOCI) and Mayor of Bouaké; Mr. Ahmed Youssouf Benjalloun, President of the Association of Departments of Senegal (ADS); among others.

The stakes and the challenges

During this second General Assembly of the Council of Territorial Authorities of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (CCT-UEMOA), which is being held in Dakar (Senegal), participants will examine: the activity report and the financial report 2025; the work program and the budget 2026. They will also proceed with the installation of the permanent technical Commissions; and the presentation of the Strategic Plan 2025-2029, which constitutes the compass of the CCT-UEMOA.

In his opening remarks, the President of the CCT-UEMOA addressed the issues and challenges. "The strong mobilization of delegations and partners testifies to a shared conviction: the regional integration of the UEMOA can only succeed if it is rooted in the territories, among the communities that embody citizenship, social cohesion, resilience and local development," emphasized Mr. Oumar Ba.

He adds: “West Africa is going through a period marked by security tensions, a contraction of funding, and a growing demand from the population for essential social services. In this context, local authorities have become strategic actors, on the front line in the face of climate, food, security and social crises. More than ever, the CCT-UEMOA must be a powerful tool for integration, stability and territorial transformation, in accordance with the 2011 Additional Act.”

The need to finally deploy the community mechanism for financing local authorities

For him, the theme of this edition, "Mobilizing Resources for Local Authorities," is vital because, he argues, "local authorities face a chronic funding shortfall while their responsibilities increase." "It is urgent to finally deploy the community-based financing mechanism for local authorities, the cornerstone of modern and sustainable governance within the WAEMU," Mr. Ba insisted.

A strong appeal launched to partners

The President of the CCT-UEMOA took the opportunity to express his wish to strengthen, with the technical and financial partners of his institution, "an alliance based on trust, transparency, and above all concrete results for the territories."

For Mr. Oumar Ba, the 2025-2029 Strategic Plan is "a solid foundation for building transformative programs, particularly in the areas of climate resilience, security, economic integration and local financing".

"The 2025-2029 Strategic Plan represents a decisive turning point."

Local authorities occupy a unique place in the community architecture of the WAEMU. Through the Additional Act of 2011, the Heads of State sought to create, via the CCT, a structured space enabling territories to be fully associated with the construction of the Union.

Since then, the CCT has consistently demonstrated its relevance through: its advisory role in the development of community policies; its involvement in reforms relating to financial decentralization; and its commitment to the implementation of major initiatives at the local level.

According to the Resident Representative of the WAEMU Commission in Dakar, the 2025-2029 Strategic Plan, adopted last year, represents a decisive turning point. "The Commission welcomes this strategic approach, as it directly addresses the challenges facing our states and communities: persistent security pressures, environmental and climate challenges, growing needs for infrastructure and social services, and strong public expectations regarding local governance and development," stated Mr. Amadou Tchambou.

The diplomat reports that for several years, the Commission has been working with the CCT on structuring programs such as the Local Cross-Border Cooperation Program (PCTL) and the Regional Financial Decentralization Support Program (PRADEF). These programs, co-financed with Swiss cooperation, have produced concrete results in border areas and for the benefit of local communities, according to Mr. Tchambou.

In closing, the Resident Representative of the WAEMU Commission in Dakar reaffirmed the Commission's commitment to supporting the implementation of these programs, as well as the new flagship projects envisioned in the Strategic Plan. Mr. Amadou Tchambou also indicated that the Commission will work to strengthen its collaboration with the CCT (Central Territorial Council) to ensure greater coherence between community policies and the actual needs of the territories.

The President of the Union of Cities and Communes of Côte d'Ivoire (UVICOCI), Mr. Amadou Koné, Mayor of the commune of Bouaké; and the President of the Association of Departments of Senegal (ADS), Mr. Ahmed Youssouf Benjelloun, for their part, expressed their wishes for the full success of the work of this second ordinary general assembly of the CCT-UEMOA for the benefit of the local authorities.

The meeting also noted the presence of members of the CCT-UEMOA, technical and financial partners, among others.