Individual Borrowers Pay Higher Loan Rates in CEMAC
Average APRs for individual bank borrowers in Central Africa's CEMAC bloc stood well above those paid by large companies in the second quarter of 2026.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Credit Cards
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Individual borrowers in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) paid an average annual percentage rate of 15.48% on bank loans in the second quarter of 2026, down from 17.19% in the first quarter. Large companies paid an average of 10.36%, down from 11.82%, according to the Bank of Central African States.
Why it matters
The gap of 5.12 percentage points between individual and large company borrowing costs shows that households face substantially more expensive credit than major firms in the region. Fees and commissions accounted for a large share of the total cost for both groups.
The Bank of Central African States reported average APRs of 15.48% for individuals and 10.36% for large companies in Q2 2026, both lower than in Q1. The report does not explain the drivers of the quarterly decline or why rates for other legal entities rose from 11.70% to 14.84% over the same period.
The players
Bank of Central African States (BEAC)
The BEAC is the central bank for the six CEMAC member countries and issues the region's monetary policy and financial data.
The details
Average APRs include interest, fees and commissions, which made up 31.18% of the individual borrower average and 42.40% of the large company average in the second quarter. SME borrowers paid an average of 10.97% and government entities 10.22% in the same quarter.
Timeline
First quarter of 2026: baseline average APRs recorded for each borrower category.
Second quarter of 2026: individual and large company APRs declined from first-quarter levels.
September 2026: Bank of Central African States published the figures in its monetary policy report.
Market Dynamics
The quarterly APR series published in the BEAC monetary policy report tracks how borrowing costs in CEMAC move across borrower types over time. The second-quarter 2026 decline for individuals and large companies extends a downward movement from the first quarter in the same series.
Borrowers in the CEMAC region face APRs that are roughly 50% higher than those paid by large companies, which raises the cost of personal credit relative to corporate financing. Households weighing loan options should compare total APRs including fees, since fees made up over 31% of the individual average rate.
The takeaway
Fees and commissions drive a large part of total borrowing cost in CEMAC, so comparing the full APR rather than the headline interest rate gives a more accurate picture of what a loan will cost.
Further reading
For broader context on borrowing costs, explore Credit Cards coverage on Wisevoter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Ecofin Agency.
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