Optimizing the allocation of public spending for human development: DEA analysis in the WAEMU zone

This study assesses the efficiency of public resource allocation for human development in West Africa over the period 2010-2023. The analysis uses data envelopment analysis (DEA) with the assumption of variable returns to scale (VRS) on a panel sample covering the countries of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). The results show significant heterogeneity among the countries: Togo (0.994), Guinea-Bissau (0.988), and Benin (0.983) exhibit near-optimal performance, while Mali (0.820) and Côte d'Ivoire (0.920) show significant potential for improvement. Factor analysis identifies the education sector as the main lever for improvement and military spending as a significant variable influencing budgetary trade-offs. This study suggests that countries should prioritize improving their education and health systems before increasing their budgets. At the regional level, we recommend establishing a permanent observatory to assess the effectiveness of public spending, organizing transnational expert missions, and exploring results-based financing mechanisms.