Partnership with the WAEMU Commission

Following two previous cooperation agreements signed in 2014 and 2018, a third partnership was launched for the 2023–2025 period. It is structured around five complementary areas of research and expertise aligned with the Commission's strategic priorities.

Tax potential and gaps in WAEMU countries
FERDI has developed a methodology for estimating tax potential and tax gaps across the Union's main taxes. The objective is to enable the WAEMU Commission to produce an annual report on tax gaps and strengthen the design and monitoring of regional tax policies. 

Monitoring vulnerabilities
FERDI provides the Commission with original vulnerability indicators covering all WAEMU member states. This work supports the development of country vulnerability profiles and helps integrate the methodology into the Commission's analytical framework. 

Digital Economy and Rural Transformation
FERDI analyses how digitalisation is reshaping rural economies and agricultural markets in West Africa. In 2026, a second report showed that expanding mobile connectivity contributes to the modernisation of farming practices, improves the functioning of rural labour markets and supports the diversification of economic activities. 

Agricultural Modernisation
FERDI completed a programme of research on the financing of agricultural entrepreneurship, agricultural insurance against climate risks, food security and self-sufficiency, and the development of agricultural value chains across the WAEMU region. These studies provide evidence to support agricultural modernisation policies. 

Youth employment
FERDI examines the factors shaping young people's integration into rural labour markets, including access to land, financial services, markets, agricultural extension services and skills development. A second strand of research explores how impact investment can contribute to youth employment and the development of the education sector across the WAEMU region. 

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