BEAC liquidity demand tops 535.5 bn CFA as CEMAC banks seek more funding

On July 14, 2026 the Bank of Central African States (BEAC) received requests for CFA 535.5 billion in liquidity from commercial banks across the six CEMAC member states—Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Chad and the Central African Republic. The central bank offered CFA 500 billion, leaving a residual shortfall of CFA 35.5 billion, equivalent to a 107.1 % subscription rate.

Demand has risen sharply over three weeks, up 33.9 %: banks asked for CFA 400 bn on June 23, CFA 444.5 bn on June 30, CFA 497 bn on July 7 and CFA 535.5 bn on July 14. The increase coincides with monetary‑policy easing announced by the BEAC’s Monetary Policy Committee on June 29, which lowered the policy auction rate from 4.75 % to 4.50 % and cut reserve‑requirement ratios (7 % to 6.5 % on demand deposits, 4.5 % to 4 % on term deposits). The marginal lending‑facility rate was also reduced from 6.25 % to 5.75 %.

Despite lower policy rates, the weighted‑average refinancing cost rose marginally to 4.79 % on July 14, reflecting strong competition for the limited liquidity. The central bank expects the easing to improve financing conditions, but the actual impact on credit‑growth will depend on banks’ lending strategies and borrower risk.

The BEAC has not disclosed how the obtained funds will be allocated, which could include new lending, short‑term treasury management, or purchases of sovereign securities.