As of November 1st, 2026, coins from the 1958, 1959, 1971, 1976, and 1985 series will no longer be legal tender in the six countries of the CEMAC zone. The decision to demonetize these older coins was made by the UMAC Ministerial Committee on October 7th, 2026, in N'Djamena. This impacts the financial systems of Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Chad, the Central African Republic, and Equatorial Guinea. Following the deadline, these coins will no longer be accepted for payment and must be exchanged at BEAC branches with valid identification. The move comes alongside the introduction of a new, more secure CEMAC coin series in April 2025, designed for smaller transactions. The overall goal is to improve cash flow and reduce the cost of cash management within the region, encouraging citizens to exchange their old coins before the transition.