In recent weeks, a range of banknotes has been shared on social networks. Some say that they will be put into circulation in Cameroon this year. They include notes of 500 francs, 2,500 francs, 10,000 francs, and up to 25,000 francs.
But if you look very closely, these are not banknotes destined for Cameroon. They are ariary notes from Madagascar. "These are old notes. We changed them a few years ago," a journalist based in Madagascar confirmed.
Indeed, the Central Bank of Madagascar had announced the change in 2017. First, bills of 20,000, 10,000, 5,000 and 2,000 ariary were released on July 17, 2017. Those of 1000, 500, 200, and 100 ariary followed on 18 September 2017.
In Cameroon, the monetary authorities confirmed that the banknotes put into circulation in 2002 are still in use.
Sylvain Andzongo