Over the past five years, France's influence in its former African strongholds has significantly diminished
and faced increasing challenges. A key moment in this shifting dynamic occurred in July 2022 with the abrupt expulsion of the French ambassador from Mali, marking a major rupture in France’s historical ties with its former colonies.
This trend of disengagement has continued into 2025. On March 17, Niger and Burkina Faso formally announced their withdrawal from the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), citing a commitment to prioritizing national sovereignty. The following day, Mali’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement confirming that it, too, would take the same course as its regional counterparts.
A Foreseeable Initiative
Between 2020 and 2023, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso underwent coups d'état that brought military juntas to power. As a result, in 2023, all three countries were successively suspended from the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) for actions deemed anti-democratic.
In January 2025, these nations further distanced themselves from regional institutions by withdrawing from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), citing concerns that the organization was heavily influenced and controlled by France.
Therefore, their recent departure from the OIF aligns with an ongoing process of political and diplomatic realignment. By severing ties with France, these countries have effectively ended long-standing diplomatic relations. In 2023, they solidified their cooperation by forming the Alliance des États du Sahel (AES), a confederation aimed at enhancing collective security, fostering economic development, and establishing a new currency as an alternative to reliance on external influences.
This evolving geopolitical landscape raises significant questions about the future of France’s influence in the region. What lies ahead for the Francophonie? How will these nations redefine their path forward?
The Future of the CFA Franc
While no definitive decisions have been made, the replacement of the CFA franc appears to be a likely next step in the region's realignment.
Currently, this common currency serves as the official currency of the eight-member West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA): Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo—all former French colonies.
Since 2019, several attempts have been made to establish an alternative currency that would reduce France’s economic leverage. The CFA franc, pegged to the euro at a fixed exchange rate, restricts the ability of member states to implement independent monetary policies tailored to their unique economic conditions. This structure has been widely criticized for reinforcing economic disparities between these nations and France, as well as limiting their capacity to drive their own development agendas.
At the ECOWAS summit on June 29, 2019, the leaders of 15 West African nations announced their ambition to introduce the ECO as a single regional currency. However, this initiative has largely stalled, with various projects failing to materialize.
In February 2024, Niger’s military leader, Abdourahamane Tiani, suggested the potential creation of a common currency for Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali—further signaling their intent to reduce France’s economic and monetary influence in the region.
Given the current geopolitical climate, reforming or replacing the CFA franc would represent a major and historic break between France and its former colonies.
The rapid shifts in foreign policy among Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger suggest that these developments should be closely monitored, as their actions could serve as a model or catalyst for other UEMOA member states seeking greater economic sovereignty.