No, Cameroon isn’t printing 25, 50 and 100 FCFA banknotes: the BEAC says it’s fake 🇨🇲📱

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For the past few days, images of supposed 25, 50 and 100 FCFA banknotes have been circulating on social media in Cameroon. The FCFA is the Central African CFA franc, shared by Cameroon and five other countries, and 100 FCFA is worth roughly 15 euro cents. Pitched as a replacement for coins, the images are feeding debate at a time when people are struggling to get hold of small change. There’s just one problem: the announcement is false.

Viral images sow confusion 📲

The rumor started with posts presenting new low-denomination banknotes as the answer to the coin shortage. Shared on WhatsApp, Facebook and TikTok, the images quickly gained traction, and many users reposted them to their statuses, amplifying the spread.

The episode shows how fast platforms can accelerate unverified information. When an image can be shared in seconds, the line between an official announcement and a misleading post gets harder to see. Priscille says she fell for it:

“Given all the controversy over coins lately, I believed the fake about 25, 50 and 100 FCFA notes being produced. Unfortunately, I reshared it online without checking.”

The BEAC takes on the fact-checking challenge 🛡️

The Bank of Central African States (BEAC), the central bank of the six countries that share the CFA franc, stepped in through its official channels to deny the posts. Explainer visuals, including slide-style graphics, were circulated to inform the public and counter the false claims. The response puts digital tools at the center of the fight against misinformation: clarifications reach people on the same platforms where the disputed content spreads.

The controversy comes as the announced withdrawal of some older coins is already raising questions, and the banknote rumor piggybacked on that news. Mariette’s caution set her apart:

“When I saw these misleading edits going around, I quickly checked the BEAC’s Facebook page. That’s how I found out it was a fake. And so people in Cameroon wouldn’t be left in the dark, I immediately started spreading the word on WhatsApp.”

Sharing: the weak link in misinformation 🔎

Resharing is one of the main reasons this false announcement spread so far. Between posts, screenshots and statuses, information can travel without anyone asking where it came from. Checking the source, looking for confirmation on official channels and refusing to pass on dubious content are now essential habits. The speed of digital tools doesn’t excuse a lack of care: it makes care even more necessary.

Beyond these so-called banknotes, the episode is a reminder that in the social media age, a rumor can look like credible news before it is even debunked. In the fight against fake news, technology speeds up the spread of messages, but users’ judgment remains a decisive line of defense. Online, sharing takes a second; setting the record straight often takes far more.

Have you ever shared a piece of false information before realizing it was misleading? What habits do you rely on now to check a viral announcement? Tell us in the comments.