The Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) is an international public institution with headquarters in Dakar, Senegal.. It is the common issuing institution of the member States of the West African Monetary Union (WAMU). At the time of its founding on May 12, 1962, its membership comprised the Republics of Côte d’Ivoire, Dahomey, Mali, Niger, Mauritania, Senegal, Togo and Upper Volta.