Africa-Press. Mali’s Ministry of Economy and Finance has denied the existence of any official information regarding the imminent launch of a unified currency within the Confederation of Sahel States, urging the media and the public to rely exclusively on institutional channels for updates related to the economic decisions of member states.
The ministry’s statement followed the circulation by some media outlets and digital platforms of reports claiming the preparation and publication of a “roadmap” for the adoption of a common currency among the alliance’s countries. Financial authorities confirmed that no official announcement had been made on the matter and that no timetable had been set for the introduction of a unified currency.
A project still under discussion
The Alliance of Sahel States was established in July 2024 at the initiative of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger as a regional framework for cooperation aimed at strengthening stability, economic sovereignty, and political coordination among the three countries. Among the projects discussed in public debates is the idea of creating an economic and monetary union that would include a single currency; however, these initiatives remain at the preliminary study stage and have not been officially adopted.
Local and international media have repeatedly reported on a possible move by Sahel states to issue a new regional currency, alongside an expressed desire to move away from the African franc historically used in the region. Nevertheless, these proposals have not yet translated into official decisions or practical steps toward launching an alternative currency.
This denial comes at a time when the confederation’s ambitions are receiving broad media coverage, particularly following the announcement of the establishment of a joint investment and development bank, which is viewed as a concrete step toward strengthening its financial independence from traditional regional financing institutions.
