Central African States Boost FX Reserves but Regional Imbalances Persist

• Foreign reserves reach CFA7,515 billion ($12.3 billion), up 9.2%
• Gabon and Chad remain top contributors, while Congo lags behind

Cotonou, Benin – The Bank of Central African States (BEAC) saw its foreign exchange reserves rise to CFA7,515 billion (approximately $12.3 billion) in January 2025, marking a 9.2% year-on-year increase, driven by oil revenues, corporate tax payments from the extractive sector, and new external borrowing by member states.