BEAC Denies Issuing Viral CFA Banknotes as AI-Generated Images Fuel Confusion

The Bank of Central African States (BEAC) has denied issuing purported 25, 50, 100, 200 and 300 CFA franc banknotes circulating on social media, as digitally generated images fuel confusion about the currency used in Cameroon and other Central African countries.

The images have spread across platforms, including Facebook and WhatsApp, with some users claiming the supposed notes were introduced to replace old coins being withdrawn from circulation.

However, the banknotes have no confirmed official status, and the claims have been challenged by a fact-check published by DataCheck on October 22, 2026.

Fact-Check Flags Possible AI-Generated Images. According to the investigation, BEAC denied introducing the denominations shown in the viral images.

The fact-check also reported that two image-analysis tools, Sealed Rose and Hive Moderation, assessed the images as likely AI-generated, assigning probabilities of 82.9 per cent and 92.9 per cent, respectively.

Such tools can help identify potentially manipulated or synthetic images, although their results alone do not conclusively establish how an image was created.

The circulation of the images has raised concerns about misinformation involving financial matters, particularly when users mistake unofficial designs for genuine currency.Old Coin Withdrawal Is a Separate Measure.

The false claims have emerged amid a separate currency measure discussed in N’Djamena on October 7, 2026, concerning the withdrawal of certain old coin series dating from 1958, 1959, 1971, 1976 and 1985.

However, the withdrawal of specified coin series does not establish that new banknotes in the viral denominations have been introduced.

The two issues should therefore be treated separately, and the public is encouraged to rely on official announcements rather than images circulating online.

Public Urged to Verify Suspicious CurrencyThe spread of fake currency claims can expose people to financial losses, especially if they accept imitation notes or rely on unverified information when conducting transactions.

Members of the public are advised to verify currency-related announcements through BEAC’s official communication channels and consult banks or relevant authorities when they encounter suspicious banknotes.Suspected counterfeit notes should not be passed on to another person.

Media organisations and social media users are also encouraged to verify monetary information before sharing it, as misleading claims can spread quickly and undermine public confidence.