The banking framework is evolving in Africa power plant. As of January 1, 2026, the minimum share capital required of banks operating in the African Economic and Monetary Community power plant (CEMAC) will increase from 10 to 25 billion FCFA. At the same time, the financial institutions will now have to have a minimum capital of 4 billion FCFA, against 1 billion FCFA so far

The measure was adopted by the Commission Central African banking (COBAC). It was made public at the end of an extraordinary session held on 10 December 2025 in Libreville. The new The regulation will officially come into force at the beginning of 2026.

This decision concerns all credit institutions whose head office is located in the six countries members of CEMAC. These are Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Guinea Equatorial, Central African Republic and Chad. From now on, all a new bank created in this community area must have immediately of the required capital. He must be completely released, that is to say actually paid by the shareholders.

A deadline granted to banks already in

Banks and financial institutions However, existing ones benefit from a period of adaptation. They have 12 months, until December 31, 2026, to comply with the new requirements of capitalization.

The institutions that will not be able to reach the required threshold within this period must, no later than 30 June, submit a capital increase plan to the Secretary General of COBAC. This document should present a precise timetable for the gradual increase of capital, with a horizon set at 2029.

The new system thus provides for a gradual rise in capital. The objective is clear: to avoid any breakage Brutal banking activity and preserve the stability of the financial system regional.

This regulatory framework replaces the COBAC regulation R-2009/01, adopted in April 2009. At the time, the minimum capital of banks had been set at 10 billion FCFA, a threshold remained unchanged for fifteen years, despite the increase in financing needs and the intensification of banking risks.

A reform part of a dynamic

The increase in the minimum capital is part of, more broadly, in a regional and continental dynamic. In the UMOA zone, the Minimum capital of banks has been fixed at 20 billion FCFA since January 1 2024, with a compliance deadline running until January 2027.

In Nigeria, the Central Bank has, of its On the other hand, launched a vast program to recapitalize the banking sector. It should be completed in April 2026. With four months to go, 16 banks out of 36 have already reached the new required thresholds.

In the CEMAC area, this reform aims to mainly to strengthen the financial solidity of banks, to improve their capacity to finance the economy and, above all, to reduce the risks for depositors. In the medium term, it could also lead to recomposition of the banking landscape in Central Africa.