• BEAC introduces new USD transfer procedures from CFA franc accounts, effective July 22, 2025.

• Reform aims to streamline international payments and clarify processing timelines.

• Only transfers from local currency accounts are impacted—not foreign currency accounts.

The Bank of Central African States (BEAC) has rolled out new rules to govern international transfers in US dollars from the CEMAC region. The move, unveiled in a circular on July 22, 2025, seeks to speed up cross-border payments, enhance transparency, and ensure stricter traceability.

BEAC, the central bank for Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, and the Central African Republic, stated that the updated procedure applies only to USD transfers originating from CFA franc accounts. Foreign currency accounts remain exempt from the reform.

Governor Yvon Sana Bangui signed the circular that outlines the changes. The central bank will continue using the existing eTransfer platform for receiving and processing requests. This digital tool, in place since 2020, allows economic operators to initiate international payments.

However, BEAC introduced a detailed timeline to clarify each step of the process. On the day of the request, BEAC acknowledges receipt before 10:00 am and notifies the client of the scheduled execution date. Clients have until 2:00 pm that same day to report any discrepancies. Without a response, BEAC treats the request as confirmed.

The next day, before 3:00 pm, BEAC informs the client of the exchange rate and the CFA franc amount to be debited. If the client’s account is funded before 7:00 am the following day, BEAC proceeds with the transfer. If the funds are not available or if there is a banking issue, BEAC rejects the transaction and applies rejection fees.

Transfer costs remain unchanged. Clients still pay BEAC’s charges in addition to those levied by intermediary and receiving banks.

These new procedures supersede all previous rules regarding USD transfers. BEAC emphasized that the reform reinforces its commitment to disciplined and efficient oversight of international financial flows in the CEMAC region.

This article was initially published in French by Sandrine Gaingne

 Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum