The Central African Banking Commission (COBAC) has adopted new provisions relating to the minimum share capital of credit institutions operating in the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC).
These measures are contained in COBAC Regulation R-2025/02 of December 10, 2025, which sets new capitalization thresholds for banks and financial institutions.
New share capital thresholds as of January 1, 2026
As of January 1, 2026, the minimum share capital requirements are being increased:
- â The minimum share capital for banks increases from 10 billion FCFA to 25 billion FCFA;
- â The minimum share capital for financial institutions increases from 2 billion FCFA to 4 billion FCFA.
These new requirements apply to all credit institutions operating in the CEMAC area.
Transitional period granted to operating institutions
Credit institutions already in operation benefit from a one-year transitional period, starting from January 1, 2026, to comply with the new share capital requirements.
However, institutions that are unable to meet this obligation within the specified timeframe must submit, no later than June 30, 2026, a share capital increase plan for approval by the Secretary General of the Central African Banking Commission (COBAC).
This plan must provide for a gradual compliance of the share capital, no later than December 31, 2029.
A reference regulatory framework
The detailed provisions relating to this increase in minimum share capital are set out in COBAC Regulation R-2025/02 of December 10, 2025, the full text of which is made available to the public below.
