In 2024, the use of commercial paper declines by 1.62% in number and 7.33% in value, while checking accounts increase by 6.56%, reaching 5,201,816 units (compared to 4,881,394 in 2023), according to the Bank of Central African States.
A key instrument of short-term financing, commercial paper continues to play a structuring role for CEMAC companies, especially in leasing operations. By securing commercial commitments, they facilitate liquidity mobilization and support activity. Yet, in 2024, their momentum is fading.
“The use of commercial paper has decreased,” notes the BEAC, with a decline of 1.62% in volume and 7.33% in value compared to 2023. This contraction is accompanied by a strong geographic concentration: Cameroon and Gabon capture the bulk of operations, confirming their weight in regional financial circuits.
Contrary to this trend, checks are regaining popularity. The number of declared checking accounts stands at 5,201,816, up 6.56% year-on-year. This increase reflects the broadening access to banking services and a persistent preference for traditional payment instruments.
This dual movement illustrates the changes underway in financial practices in Central Africa, between the retreat of intercompany financing tools and the rise of classic banking uses.
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