How to send money to Cameroon in 2026: CFA francs in 1-3 business days, euros or dollars for a non-resident and business investment
In 2026 the Central African CFA franc is pegged to the euro at 655.957 francs per euro, so a transfer to Cameroon from euros is known in advance. A non-resident foreigner opens a currency account at a bank in Yaounde or Douala without prior permission and declares an investment in a company 30 days ahead.
In short
- The CFA franc is pegged to the euro: 655.957 francs per euro.
- The rate on 09.10.2026 is 585.28 francs per dollar.
- A non-resident currency account is opened without permission.
- An investment in a company is declared 30 days ahead.
In detail
A transfer to Cameroon on 9 October 2026: in francs, to a non-resident account, to a wallet
Ways of crediting money in Cameroon were checked on 9 October 2026. The recipient receives money in Central African CFA francs by bank transfer in 1-3 business days, through a money transfer service or to a mobile wallet by phone number. On that date a dollar costs 585.28 francs, and a foreigner without a residence permit can also hold money in a non-resident currency account.
| Route | Now | Currency credited | Time | What you need |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank transfer to a CFA franc account | works | Central African CFA francs | 1-3 business days | the account number, the bank's international code, the recipient's name |
| Transfer to a non-resident currency account | works | euros or US dollars | 1-3 business days | a non-resident currency account at a Cameroonian bank |
| Money transfer service | works | CFA francs | from a few minutes | the recipient's ID document |
| Transfer to a mobile wallet | works | CFA francs | from a few minutes | the recipient's phone number |
Does the sender's bank not know how to route a payment to Douala? There are usually more options than it seems: ask a manager which route suits your sum.
The CFA franc is pegged to the euro: how many francs a family in Cameroon receives
Since 1 January 1999 the Central African CFA franc has been firmly pegged to the euro: the currency regulations set the rate as 1 franc = 0.001524 euros, that is 655.957 francs per euro. This franc is used by the six countries of the union, Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Chad, the Central African Republic and Equatorial Guinea, and it is issued by a common central bank headquartered in Yaounde.
The West African franc trades at the same rate, but it is a different currency, and money for Cameroon is credited in Central African francs. So a transfer from euros can be worked out in advance: 1,000 euros give 655,957 CFA francs ($1,200) on crediting, and only the bank's charge changes. The dollar and other currencies are converted through the euro at the day's market rate.
For a family in Cameroon a transfer in euros works out better when the recipient's bank exchanges it at the fixed rate without a double exchange through the dollar. So that the money arrives in francs without extra conversion, we will suggest how best to send it to Cameroon. The capital is covered on the Yaounde page.
We will help you send money to Cameroon
Mistakes cost more than fees: a double exchange through the dollar when the sum is better sent in euros, topping up a non-resident currency account with francs, an investment in a company without a declaration 30 days before the deal. We will help you avoid them: we will choose the route and timing, prepare documents on the source of the money for the bank and carry out the transfer through to crediting.
Details and terms are with a manager in the chat: the cost depends on the sum and the purpose of the transfer.
A non-resident currency account in Cameroon: how to hold money in euros and dollars
Since 1 March 2019 Cameroon has applied currency regulations common to the six countries. Under them a foreigner who does not live in the country opens a currency account at a bank without prior permission: the bank informs the central bank after opening. A non-resident account in CFA francs is opened just as freely, with the documents from the list in the regulations.
The currency account is topped up by transfers in foreign currency from abroad, and for spending in Cameroon the money is exchanged into francs and moved to the franc account. If the owner moves to the country and becomes a resident, the bank closes the currency account and moves the balance to a franc account. Residents of Cameroon receive transfers in CFA francs, and currency accounts in the country are held by non-residents and by companies with central bank permission.
An investment in a Cameroonian company follows the same rules: direct investment from abroad is declared to the central bank and the Ministry of Finance at least 30 days before the deal, and a completed deal is reported within 30 days. The sale of a stake and the return of money abroad are also declared 30 days ahead, so the exit plan is visible from day one. If the sum goes into a business, a manager will check the order of declarations before the transfer.
From $10,000 and above: what a bank in Douala and Yaounde will ask
- Up to $10,000. The recipient's bank checks the name, the account or phone number and the purpose: help for relatives, study, medical treatment.
- $10,000-100,000. The payment comes with the sender's account statement and the contract the money is sent for: a lease, tuition, a supply contract.
- From $100,000. The bank looks at the source of the money, and for an investment in a company at a copy of the declaration to the central bank. Here a manager will put together the document package with you.
How to prove where the money came from is covered in the article on proof of source of funds, and large payments in the article on sending a large sum abroad. When a whole family and its savings move to Cameroon, the capital relocation page will help.
Sending money to neighbouring countries
- How to send money to Côte d'Ivoire: the West African franc at the same rate
- How to send money to Benin: wallet transfers under the new rules
- How to send money to Togo: a non-resident account and a home in Lome
- How to send money to France: the euro the CFA franc is pegged to
- How to send money to Nigeria: a 10-digit account number
- How to send money to Chad: the CFA franc at the euro rate
If your savings are moving to another country in full, start with the capital relocation hub.
FAQ
Does a bank in Cameroon tell the central bank about opening a non-resident currency account?
Can a non-resident currency account in Cameroon be topped up with CFA francs?
How many days ahead is an investment in a company in Cameroon declared?
Are West African francs accepted in Cameroon?
We will suggest the best way to send your money
We will choose a transfer method for your amount and country, prepare the documents on the origin of the money for the bank, make the transfer through licensed partners and follow it until the money is credited. Ask your question in the chat - the manager will suggest the best terms and the cost. The legal side with banks and government bodies is handled by Murblz specialists and locally licensed partners.
Details and cost are with the manager in the chat. Describe your situation and we will reply right away.
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