BEAC NG2020: The mobile app taking on counterfeit currency in the CEMAC 💸

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As counterfeit banknotes become increasingly common in the CEMAC region, the Bank of Central African States (BEAC) is going digital. The institution has launched BEAC NG2020, a free mobile app that allows anyone to verify the authenticity of the 2020 banknote series—a technological response to a persistent economic challenge.

A Currency Check in Your Pocket 🔍

Dans un contexte de prolifération des faux billets et de fragilisation de la confiance du public, la BEAC introduit BEAC NG2020. Disponible gratuitement sur l’App Store (via ce lien) et Google Play (via ce lien), cet outil s’adresse aussi bien aux particuliers qu’aux commerçants et professionnels du secteur financier. Il permet de vérifier en temps réel l’authenticité des coupures.

With public trust threatened by the rise of fake banknotes, BEAC is introducing an innovative tool for everyday users, merchants, and financial professionals alike. BEAC NG2020, available on both the App Store and Google Play, enables real-time verification of banknotes.

© BEAC

The app uses interactive illustrations to guide users through key security features—watermarks, color-shifting inks, holograms, and tactile elements. Anyone can quickly compare the details of a note in hand with those officially recognized as genuine.

But BEAC NG2020 goes beyond visuals. It also includes practical tips and detailed guides, making it easier for users to understand security features and detect counterfeit currency.

A Regional Response to a Persistent Threat 🌍

BEAC serves the six CEMAC member states—Cameroon, Gabon, Central African Republic, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, and the Republic of Congo. Counterfeiting has long been a challenge, but increasingly sophisticated forgers have made it a growing concern.

According to BEAC Governor Yvon Sana Bangui, counterfeit notes cause significant economic losses, especially for individuals who unknowingly accept them.

BEAC NG2020 is part of a broader modernization strategy to fight fraud. It complements traditional awareness campaigns and physical security measures, while empowering citizens to actively safeguard the monetary system.

Part of a Global Central Banking Trend 🏦

Like many central banks worldwide, BEAC is embracing digital tools to strengthen currency security. The goal: restore confidence in the CFA franc and limit the economic damage caused by counterfeiting.

From shopkeepers to microfinance institutions to everyday citizens, everyone is encouraged to adopt the app. By combining tech innovation with financial education, BEAC hopes to significantly reduce counterfeiting rates across the CEMAC region—and help build a safer, more transparent economy.

💬 Have you ever come across counterfeit money in the CEMAC region? What do you think of BEAC’s digital approach?