Guinea has been the first Ecowas member state to opt out of the bloc's single currency. The 12 member West African economic bloc is set to launch the monetary union and eco currency in July next year. Guinea has decided retain its national currency, the Guinean franc. Ecowas says it was leaning towards a phased rollout, with countries meeting convergence criteria such as inflation, debt, and monetary stability joining first. The bloc is expected to meet again in December to resolve outstanding issues, particularly around the future central bank.  Now to discuss this further we are joined by Paul Ejime, Global affairs analyst with focus on West Africa

<p>Guinea has been the first Ecowas member state to opt out of the bloc's single currency. The 12 member West African economic bloc is set to launch the monetary union and eco currency in July next year. Guinea has decided retain its national currency, the Guinean franc. Ecowas says it was leaning towards a phased rollout, with countries meeting convergence criteria such as inflation, debt, and monetary stability joining first. The bloc is expected to meet again in December to resolve outstanding issues, particularly around the future central bank. &nbsp;Now to discuss this further we are joined by Paul Ejime, Global affairs analyst with focus on West Africa</p>