The Bank of Central African States (BEAC) will begin exchanging five old coin series at their face value from 2 November 2026, the central bank said. The coins, issued between 1958 and 1985, lose their legal tender status on 1 November 2026.
Individuals can exchange up to 50,000 XAF per day at face value, with amounts above that paid in banknotes. Businesses and microfinance institutions face no limit and will receive new coins or banknotes. Deposits are accepted in the morning and withdrawals in the afternoon.
The measure covers all denominations from 1 XAF to 500 XAF from the 1958, 1959, 1971, 1976 and 1985 series. Coins from the 2006 series and the new 2024 series remain valid and must be accepted in transactions.
The Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) council of ministers approved the demonetisation in N'Djamena in early October 2026. The bank said the move aims to modernise the currency in circulation, curb smuggling networks that melt old coins for their metal, and clear space for the new 2024 series.
The exchange will take place at BEAC's national directorate in Yaounde.