BEAC Sets New Coin Circulation Target for CEMAC: 30 Coins Per Person by 2030

• The average number of coins per person in the CEMAC region increased from 16 to 23 by May 31, 2026, representing a nearly 44% rise.
• This increase is attributed to the introduction of the new 2024 coin series on April 2, 2025, with 265 million new coins now in circulation.
• The Bank of Central African States (BEAC) has set a new target to reach 30 coins per person by 2030, an approximate 30% increase from the May 2026 level.
• The enhanced availability of new coins is enabling the BEAC to withdraw older series, which had persisted due to historical shortages of small change.
• These circulation figures and targets were presented by the BEAC on October 28, 2026, in Yaoundé.

The central bank now aims to elevate the average number of coins per person to 30 by the year 2030.

The Bank of Central African States (BEAC) recently disclosed a substantial increase in the circulation of coinage across the six-member Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC). As of May 31, 2026, the average number of coins available per person within the region reached 23, marking a significant nearly 44% surge from the 16 coins per person recorded prior to the launch of the 2024 coin series. This crucial update regarding the BEAC coin circulation target CEMAC was formally presented by the central bank on October 28, 2026, during an event held in Yaoundé. The data reflects a concerted effort to improve monetary access for the populace.

This notable improvement in CEMAC coin availability is directly attributable to the introduction of the new 2024 coin series, which commenced circulation on April 2, 2025. Emmanuel Asafor Cho, who serves as the deputy national director of BEAC for Cameroon, confirmed that an impressive 265 million coins from this modern series have been successfully integrated into the region's economy since its initial rollout. This substantial influx of new currency is a cornerstone of the central bank's strategic BEAC currency policy, designed to enhance liquidity and streamline daily transactions across all member states.

Building on these recent successes, the Bank of Central African States has articulated an ambitious new objective for coin distribution within the Central African Economic and Monetary Community. The central bank now aims to elevate the average number of coins per person to 30 by the year 2030. This forward-looking target represents an additional increase of approximately 30% when measured against the level recorded at the close of May 2026, clearly signaling BEAC's unwavering commitment to ensuring ample monetary resources.

This aggressive BEAC coin circulation target CEMAC forms a vital part of the broader BEAC currency policy, which is meticulously crafted to guarantee sufficient access to small denominations for all types of daily commercial activities. The ongoing and sustained initiative to augment the volume of circulating currency is anticipated to foster greater economic fluidity across the member states, thereby facilitating commerce and diminishing the practical challenges associated with a scarcity of small change.

The strategic drive for enhanced CEMAC coin availability is fundamentally aimed at rectifying long-standing systemic issues related to currency circulation. The BEAC has explicitly stated that the increased supply provided by the 2024 coin series Central Africa has now made it feasible to commence the systematic withdrawal of older coin series from active circulation. These legacy denominations had remained in use for several decades, primarily because the region suffered from persistent and widespread shortages of small change, compelling their continued acceptance.

The prolonged reliance on outdated coins, even after subsequent series had been introduced, underscored a critical need for a robust and consistently available supply of modern currency. The central bank's current initiative, spearheaded by the new 2024 coin series, directly confronts this historical challenge. By ensuring that the populace and businesses have ready access to the necessary denominations, the BEAC aims to stabilize the monetary environment and support more efficient economic exchanges throughout the Central African Economic and Monetary Community. This policy shift is crucial for the region's financial health and daily commerce.

This development primarily concerns monetary policy and economic operations rather than direct legal compliance. While increased coin availability may ease cash transactions for businesses, it does not introduce new legal obligations or risks for lawyers or compliance officers.

Source: Original reporting via regional financial news.