BEAC: Domestic Gold Purchase Program Approved for CEMAC

• The Bank of Central African States (BEAC) approved its Domestic Gold Purchase Program (PAOD) strategy for 2027–2030 on October 5, 2026, in N'Djamena, Chad.
• This program aims to diversify foreign exchange reserves by purchasing gold from within the CEMAC region.
• The decision follows 2025, when BEAC's gold holdings remained static at approximately 6.28 tonnes, despite a 47.62% book value increase due to higher prices.
• The PAOD implements a broader CEMAC gold monetization policy adopted by the Ministerial Committee of the Central African Monetary Union on April 8, 2026.
• The initiative seeks to leverage CEMAC local gold sourcing for reserve management.

Lawyers advising mining companies, gold traders, or financial institutions within the CEMAC region should monitor the development and implementation of the BEAC's Domestic Gold Purchase Program (PAOD) and related gold monetization policies for potential new regulations, licensing requirements, or contractual opportunities for local gold suppliers to the central bank.

The Bank of Central African States (BEAC) has formally endorsed a new strategic initiative aimed at bolstering its foreign exchange reserves through the acquisition of gold from within the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) region. This significant step, known as the BEAC Domestic Gold Purchase Program (PAOD), received approval for its 2027–2030 strategy and associated guidelines on October 5, 2026. The decision was finalized during a meeting held in N'Djamena, Chad, marking a pivotal moment for the central bank's approach to asset management. The program's core objective is to facilitate Central Africa gold reserve diversification by sourcing the precious metal locally, thereby reducing reliance on external markets for reserve accumulation. This move signals a proactive effort by the Bank of Central African States to enhance the stability and composition of its financial assets.

This strategic shift by the BEAC comes after a period of static gold holdings, which remained unchanged throughout 2025. According to the central bank's financial statements, its gold reserves stood at approximately 6.28 tonnes as of December 31, 2025, precisely 201,903.40 ounces. This quantity mirrored the gold holdings recorded at the close of 2024, indicating no physical additions to the reserves during the year.

Despite the consistent physical volume, the book value of these holdings experienced a substantial increase. The value escalated from CFA333.9 billion at the end of 2024 to CFA492.9 billion by December 31, 2025, representing a gain of CFA159 billion, or 47.62%. This appreciation was solely attributable to higher market prices used for valuing the existing gold, rather than any new Bank of Central African States gold purchases. The reported gain was an unrealized accounting adjustment, reflecting no actual increase in physical gold or proceeds from sales, underscoring the need for active accumulation.

The formal adoption of the BEAC Domestic Gold Purchase Program (PAOD) is not an isolated event but rather a direct consequence of a broader CEMAC gold monetization policy. This overarching policy framework was initially approved on April 8, 2026, by the Ministerial Committee of the Central African Monetary Union, setting the stage for the BEAC's subsequent actions. The PAOD strategy, spanning from 2027 to 2030, is designed to implement this wider gold monetization objective by actively engaging in CEMAC local gold sourcing.

This initiative is poised to create new dynamics within the region's mining and financial sectors. Lawyers advising mining companies, gold traders, or financial institutions within the CEMAC region should monitor the development and implementation of the BEAC's Domestic Gold Purchase Program (PAOD) and related gold monetization policies for potential new regulations, licensing requirements, or contractual opportunities for local gold suppliers to the central bank. The program represents a significant shift towards leveraging internal resources for economic stability and reserve management.

Lawyers advising mining companies, gold traders, or financial institutions within the CEMAC region should monitor the development and implementation of the BEAC's Domestic Gold Purchase Program (PAOD) and related gold monetization policies for potential new regulations, licensing requirements, or contractual opportunities for local gold suppliers to the central bank.

Source: Original reporting via central bank disclosures