Central Africa Will Withdraw Five Older Coin Series
Effective November 1, 2026, five historic coin series will lose legal tender status across the CEMAC region.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Budgeting
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The Central African Monetary Union has announced the withdrawal of five coin series issued between 1958 and 1985. The measure, adopted on October 7, 2026, requires residents to exchange these older coins for newer currency.
Why it matters
The central bank initiated this transition to address persistent regional shortages of small-denomination coins. By phasing out outdated currency, the institution aims to simplify and modernize the circulation of money across all member states.
The CEMAC region reported total currency in circulation of CFAF 5,755 billion at the end of 2025. Cameroon accounted for the largest share of this total at 44%.
The players
Central African Economic and Monetary Community
This is an international organization that promotes economic integration among six Central African states.
BEAC
The Bank of Central African States is the central bank responsible for managing the currency and monetary policy of the CEMAC region.
The details
The withdrawal affects coins issued in 1958, 1959, 1971, 1976, and 1985, which will officially cease to be legal tender on November 1, 2026. Holders have until July 31, 2027, to exchange these coins at commercial banks, microfinance institutions, or BEAC branches, with a final exchange deadline set for October 31, 2027.
Timeline
October 7, 2026: The Ministerial Committee adopted the withdrawal decision in N'Djamena.
November 1, 2026: Affected coins officially lose legal tender status.
July 31, 2027: Commercial banks stop accepting older coin series for exchange.
October 31, 2027: The final deadline for all currency exchanges concludes.
Market Dynamics
This move aligns with the rollout of the 2024 BEAC currency series, representing a structural effort to harmonize monetary standards. It reflects a broader shift toward modernizing regional payment systems to improve economic efficiency.
Residents holding the affected coins must visit a bank or BEAC branch before the October 31, 2027, deadline to ensure their cash retains its value. After this date, these specific denominations will lose their status as legal tender.
The takeaway
This central bank action highlights the importance of regularly monitoring changes in regional monetary policy. Individuals should audit their cash holdings to ensure they do not keep obsolete currency past the designated exchange windows.
Further reading
For more information on managing changes to currency and personal assets, visit the Budgeting section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Business in Cameroon.
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