BEAC cuts rates as CEMAC banks seek record liquidity

The Bank of the Central African States (BEAC) lowered its policy rates on 29 June, reducing the call‑price from 4.75% to 4.50% and the marginal lending facility from 6.25% to 5.75%. Within weeks, commercial banks in the six‑member CEMAC region placed unprecedented refinancing requests, asking BEAC for 680 billion CFA francs—a 27% increase from a week earlier.

The surge reflects improved access to central‑bank funding, but analysts note that it does not yet prove that the additional resources are reaching private investment or households. The move aims to lower borrowing costs, support private investment, and stimulate consumption across Gabon, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, and Equatorial Guinea.