CONGO · MONEY
Key Facts
- The country Congo, capital Brazzaville, is one of six Central African states sharing the CFA franc.
- Why it matters Coins issued from 1958 to 1985 stop counting as money across the whole six-nation currency zone.
- Why now The ban starts on Sunday 1 November 2026, after a ministers’ decision of 7 October.
- What happened Holders can swap the old coins for newer ones until Sunday 31 October 2027.
- What it means for you Each old coin is worth under US$1, so leftovers are a nuisance, not a loss.
In Plain English
The Bank of Central African States, known by its French initials BEAC, is the regional central bank in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Its six member countries form the Central African Economic and Monetary Community, called CEMAC.
Legal tender is money that a shop must accept under the law. A demonetised coin loses that status but can be swapped at a counter during a set window.
Congo, meaning the Republic of Congo with its capital Brazzaville and not the Democratic Republic of Congo, stops treating its oldest coins as money on Sunday 1 November 2026. The coins date from 1958 to 1985, and the ban covers all six countries that share the Central African CFA franc.
From that Sunday a 500 CFA franc coin of the old type (US$0.85) cannot pay a taxi fare, a market stall or a bill. Holders have until Sunday 31 October 2027 to swap such coins for newer ones at banks, microfinance lenders and the central bank.
Amounts in this article use the European Central Bank reference rate of 29 October 2026, which was US$1.1130 per euro, and the CFA franc peg of 655.957 per euro. That makes US$1 worth about 589 CFA francs.
What Changes on 1 November
The decision was taken by the ministers’ committee of the Central African Monetary Union, a CEMAC body, at its ordinary session on Wednesday 7 October 2026 in N’Djamena, Chad. The central bank’s governor has since published an information note that lists the coins concerned and sets out the calendar.
The note names seven denominations of the old range, which are 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 500 CFA francs, and it illustrates the designs of each denomination. It applies in Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and Chad, the six states of CEMAC.
Coins of the 2006 and 2024 ranges keep their legal tender status in all six countries and must still be accepted in every kind of transaction. The central bank’s range sheets show that the 2006 series runs from 1 to 500 CFA francs and that the 2024 series adds a 200 CFA franc coin.
How the Exchange Works
The swap runs in two phases that the note sets out. From 1 November 2026 to 31 July 2027, a period of nine months, old coins can be taken to the central bank, to commercial banks and to microfinance institutions.
From 1 August to 31 October 2027, a period of three months, only the central bank itself carries out the exchange. After that date the note says the old coins will cease to be exchanged at any counter, whatever the institution.
The central bank’s national director for Congo told a press briefing in Brazzaville on Wednesday 28 October that coins are swapped at face value, so a 500 CFA franc coin returns 500 CFA francs (US$0.85). He added that no ceiling applies to the amount, and a senior colleague in Yaoundé made the same point to journalists the same day.
The note leaves the practical terms to each bank, microfinance institution and central bank branch, so rules can differ between counters. In Cameroon the central bank said at a briefing on 28 October that the swap is free, and its deputy national director added that holders should carry an identity document.
Why the Coins Are Being Replaced
The national director for Congo described the operation as a quality measure rather than a loss for holders. He said the aim is to improve the metal money in circulation, because some pieces are old and manufacturing technology has moved on.
He said the central bank plans information and awareness campaigns across Congo while the swap runs. Holders receive coins of the 2006 or 2024 range in return, as the information note states.
What It Means for You
For a US visitor to Brazzaville or Pointe-Noire the effect is small, because the largest old coin is worth US$0.85. Coins left in a pocket after 1 November cannot be spent in any of the six countries, so they should be used up by 31 October or swapped afterwards.
Central African families and coin collectors in the United States who keep old coins face the deadline of 31 October 2027, since swaps stop for good on 1 November 2027. Collectors can keep old pieces as souvenirs, but the central bank will no longer treat them as money.
Readers who want the wider picture of the country can start with the Republic of Congo explained guide and the doing business guide. The Central Africa section follows the other five states of the currency zone.
What Is Not Known
The central bank has not published how many old coins remain in circulation or how much it expects to see returned. The note does not say which Congolese banks will take part, since each lender sets its own exchange terms.
In Yaoundé on 28 October a central bank official urged shops and taxi drivers not to refuse the coins, and no published rule says how a refusal would be handled. Nothing published says whether valid 2006 and 2024 coins will also be turned away in some markets, or what happens to old coins found after 31 October 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which coins are being demonetised in Congo?
Coins of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 500 CFA francs put into circulation between 1958 and 1985 lose legal tender status on 1 November 2026. Coins of the 2006 and 2024 ranges stay valid.
Until when can old CFA coins be exchanged?
Old coins can be exchanged from 1 November 2026 to 31 October 2027. Banks and microfinance institutions take part until 31 July 2027, after which only the central bank exchanges them.
Do I lose money if I keep old CFA coins in Congo?
Not if you swap them in time, because the central bank’s director for Congo said coins are exchanged at face value with no ceiling. After 31 October 2027 the central bank’s note says exchange stops at every counter.
Does the change affect US dollars or travellers’ cards?
The decision covers only old metal CFA coins in six Central African countries and does not touch the dollar, cards or banknotes. A US visitor is affected only by leftover old coins.
Does this apply to the Democratic Republic of Congo?
No, because the Democratic Republic of Congo is not one of the six CEMAC states. The decision covers Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and Chad.
Sources: Bank of Central African States, information note on the demonetisation of old-range coins, October 2026; Bank of Central African States, 2024 coin range sheet; Bank of Central African States, 2006 coin range sheet; European Central Bank, euro reference rates, 29 October 2026.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief