BEAC Maintains Key Rate at 4.5%, Lowers CEMAC Growth Forecast

The Bank of Central African States (BEAC) kept its main policy rate unchanged at 4.5% on September 28, while cutting its 2026 growth forecast for the CEMAC region to 3%. The rate decision came at the Monetary Policy Committee's third ordinary session of the year in Yaounde, chaired by Governor Yvon Sana Bangui. The committee also maintained the marginal lending facility rate at 5.75% and the deposit facility rate at 0%. Compulsory reserve ratios remained at 6.5% for sight liabilities and 4% for term liabilities. The rates have remained at those levels since the June meeting, when the central bank lowered its tender rate from 4.75% to 4.5% and cut the marginal lending facility rate from 6.25% to 5.75%. The central bank now expects CEMAC's economy to grow by 3% in 2026, down from the 3.2% forecast in June and 3.7% recorded in 2025. Inflation is projected to average 2.2% this year, up slightly from 2% in 2025 but still below the region's 3% ceiling. ...