What is the official working language of the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO)?

Introduction / Context:
The Central Bank of West African States, often referred to by its French acronym BCEAO, serves several West African countries that share a common currency, the West African CFA franc. Questions about its official language test awareness of the colonial and linguistic background of this regional institution and the countries it serves.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks for the official language of the Central Bank of West African States.
• Options: French, Arabic, English and Hindi.
• The bank serves mostly francophone West African countries.

Concept / Approach:
The member countries of the West African Monetary Union, such as Senegal, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger and others, are former French colonies where French remains the official language or a major working language. As a result, the Central Bank of West African States uses French as its official language in documents, communication and administration. This fits the broader pattern of regional African institutions maintaining the language of their former colonial power for official work.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the member states of the Central Bank of West African States. Most are francophone nations like Senegal, Ivory Coast and Mali. Step 2: Recall that these countries use French as an official language in government and administration. Step 3: Understand that regional institutions created by such states often adopt the same language as their official working language. Step 4: Compare the options. Arabic is more common as an official language in North Africa and parts of the Middle East; English dominates in anglophone African countries; Hindi is associated with India and not used in West African regional institutions. Step 5: Conclude that French is the official language of the Central Bank of West African States.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify this by consulting any official description of the BCEAO or West African Monetary Union, which states that French is the working language. Publications, reports and the bank's website typically use French for their primary texts, confirming this as the correct answer for exam purposes.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Arabic: While it is an important language in several African and Middle Eastern countries, it is not the official working language of the Central Bank of West African States.
English: Many African regional bodies use English, but the CFA franc zone discussed here is centred on former French colonies where French dominates official communication.
Hindi: Hindi is primarily used in India and is not relevant for an African regional central bank serving francophone West African countries.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates may choose English because it is widely used internationally, or Arabic due to the word "African" and a mental association with North Africa. To avoid this, always connect the Central Bank of West African States and the CFA franc with French colonial history and remember that the shared official language for these member states is French.

Final Answer:
The official working language of the Central Bank of West African States is French.