Farewells are often difficult, yet they are also a natural part of professional life. As I prepare to leave UMOA-Titres, as many of you already know, I wanted not only to say goodbye but also to share a few words with you.

Simple yet essential words before closing one of the most exciting chapters of my professional career for good. I am officially stepping down as Director of UMOA-Titres to take on new challenges, with a heavy heart and a sense of sadness, but also with pride in all that we have accomplished together over the past years.

The UMOA-Titres journey has been stimulating, enriching, and full of challenges and valuable lessons. It began nine years ago, on 3 September 2013. What initially seemed to me like simply a job and a return home turned out to be a passion, a new life — I would even say a life’s work. I came to understand that the creation of this institution was rooted in the expectations of our States, as well as in the pressing need for our region to have a dynamic financial market built around a government securities market. Beyond providing financing solutions to States, such a market also represents an instrument of financial sovereignty and independence in a world where power is often financial.

Read the full analysis by Adrien DIOUF, Director of UMOA-Titres (09/2013 to 05/2022), in the editorial of this issue.