(Business in Cameroon) – The Bank of Central African States (BEAC), the central bank for the CEMAC region, saw a surge in demand for liquidity at its injection operation on September 18, 2025. While the BEAC offered only 550 billion CFA francs, the demand from credit institutions reached a record high of 638.5 billion CFA francs.
This explosion in demand from commercial banks follows two successive offers of 600 billion CFA francs that were not fully subscribed, which had prompted the BEAC to reduce its latest offer to 550 billion CFA francs.
The renewed interest from CEMAC banks for central bank liquidity points to growing activity in the credit market, particularly during a period of high demand for student loans.
The increased appetite for BEAC liquidity has been building since the central bank lowered its main policy rate, the Tender Interest Rate (TIAO), in March 2025. This rate determines the cost for commercial banks to refinance at the BEAC’s window. The decision marked an end to more than two years of monetary policy tightening, which had included successive rate hikes aimed at restricting access to the central bank’s liquidity and curbing bank lending amid rampant inflation.
BRM
