Opinion

New PE framework in Francophone West Africa: Could this be a game changer?

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With the various threats to the Mauritius model caused by negative FATF and OECD listings, the question of “if not Mauritius, then where?” has been raised by many investors and managers in Africa. It is in this context that at the end of 2019, the World Bank and the CREPMF published proposed rules to create a legal framework for PE/VC funds and asset managers in the West African Economic Monetary Union region (WAEMU). WAEMU covers eight countries of West Africa, including the fast growing economies of Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal.