CEMAC to Retire Five Older Coin Series on Nov 1 to Address Shortages

Five older series of CFA franc coins will cease to be legal tender across the six member states of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) on November 1, 2026, following a decision by the Ministerial Committee of the Central African Monetary Union (UMAC) on October 7, 2026, in N'Djamena, Chad.

This monetary policy action holds significant implications for practitioners and businesses operating within CEMAC, particularly those involved in cross-border trade and financial services. The withdrawal of these older coin series, specifically those issued under the 1958, 1959, 1971, 1976, and 1985 series, aims to streamline the currency in circulation and address the long-standing issue of coin shortages that have hampered daily economic activities. The inability to use these coins for payments will necessitate a swift adaptation by businesses to ensure they only accept and distribute the currently valid denominations, potentially requiring updates to cash handling systems and employee training.

The legal framework underpinning this decision is rooted in the statutes governing CEMAC and the operational mandate of the Bank of Central African States (BEAC) and the UMAC. The CEMAC region, comprising Cameroon, the Republic of Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Chad, and the Central African Republic, operates under a unified monetary policy framework. The UMAC, as the supervisory body, has the authority to make such decisions regarding currency management. The BEAC, as the central bank, is responsible for implementing these policies and ensuring the stability and efficiency of the monetary system. The withdrawal is a direct response to persistent coin shortages, indicating a need for modernization and simplification of the circulating currency.

The key parties involved are the CEMAC member states, represented by their finance ministers on the UMAC Ministerial Committee, and the BEAC, led by its governor, Yvon Sana Bangui, who announced the details of the withdrawal. The general public and businesses within the six CEMAC countries are the primary recipients of this policy change, as they will be directly affected by the cessation of legal tender status for these coins. The decision was made in N'Djamena, Chad, highlighting the collaborative nature of monetary policy within the region.

Practitioners and businesses should proactively ensure compliance by identifying and removing the specified older coin series from their cash registers and payment systems before the November 1, 2026 deadline. Furthermore, it is crucial to monitor the practical arrangements for the one-year exchange period announced by the BEAC governor, as details regarding authorized exchange locations and procedures will be critical for managing any residual holdings of the withdrawn coins. Understanding these arrangements will be key to avoiding disruptions in financial operations and ensuring smooth transitions for clients and customers.