The Functioning of the CFA Franc Zone – an Introduction to Critical Analysis

Abstract

The CFA franc zone is a unique, on a worldwide scale, example of integration group based on monetary and economic cooperation, linking diverse countries which have one common feature – namely they were integral part of the French colonial empire. The CFA franc zone should contribute to economic growth and monetary and financial stability of the member states. The national economies are characterized by numerous structural and institutional weaknesses. The majority of franc CFA zone countries belong to the group of the poorest and the least developed states of the world. In the case of inflation, the countries were able to keep inflation within the convergence criteria limit, and they are characterized by the large cohesion in inflations rates, the countries differ significantly in terms of GDP growth and current account balance deficit. Moreover, WAEMU and CAEMC – the two unions within the CFA franc zone – are characterized by: low diversification of production and export structures, low proportion of intra-regional trade, low labour mobility, weak financial markets integration and lack of common fiscal policy.