Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali impose levy on imported goods

The decision to impose extra taxes on imported goods by three countries comes as they try to find more funds to boost their economies. West African neighbours Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have announced a new 0.5% levy on imported goods as they seek to fund a new three-state union after leaving the larger regional economic bloc, they said in a statement. The Alliance of Sahel States began in 2023 as a security pact between the military rulers of the three countries. It has since grown into an aspiring economic union with plans for biometric passports and closer economic and military ties. The levy was agreed on Friday and will take effect immediately. It will affect all goods imported from outside the three countries, but will not include humanitarian aid, the statement said. It will "finance the activities" of the bloc, it said, without giving details. Regional impact Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger sign treaty to create 'confederation' - TRT Afrika Leaders of the three West African nations announced a treaty for ''greater integration'' and the establishment of a confederation at their first summit.