Exposed to the Malian market, WAEMU banks face serious threats that affect their performance.

The unprecedented economic and financial sanctions imposed by ECOWAS against Mali are weighing on the performance of WAEMU banks. The Malian State's outstanding payments already amounted to 90.8 billion FCFA (138.4 million euros) as of February 28, 2022. According to exclusive documents consulted by Sika Finance, the Federation of Professional Associations of Banks and UEMOA financial institutions (FAPBEF-UEMOA) expressed concern about the situation with the authorities of the Central Bank.

Thus, credit institutions in the Union are asking the Central Bank for a favor consisting of "derogating from the obligation to downgrade and provision these securities when payment defaults occur".