Travelling within CEMAC: free movement, documents and money
Updated on 23 October 2026 · 6 min read
Citizens of the six CEMAC countries (Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea) can travel between them without a visa, with a valid national identity card or biometric passport. The six share one currency, the Central African CFA franc. In practice, border procedures still vary, especially at land borders and with Equatorial Guinea. This guide explains what free movement covers, what it does not, and how to travel smoothly to Douala and Yaoundé.
The six CEMAC countries
| Country | Capital | Main gateway to Cameroon |
|---|---|---|
| Cameroon | Yaoundé | Douala (DLA) and Yaoundé-Nsimalen (NSI) airports |
| Central African Republic | Bangui | Flights Bangui–Yaoundé or Douala |
| Chad | N'Djamena | Flights N'Djamena–Douala |
| Congo | Brazzaville | Flights to Douala or Yaoundé |
| Gabon | Libreville | Flights Libreville–Douala; road via Kyé-Ossi |
| Equatorial Guinea | Malabo | Flights Malabo–Douala |
What CEMAC free movement covers
- No visa for citizens of the six countries for visits between member states. Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, the last to sign up, ratified the visa exemption in October 2017.
- Accepted documents: a valid national identity card or biometric passport. Take the passport when you have one: airlines and some border posts prefer it.
- Citizens only: free movement depends on your nationality, not where you live. A foreign resident of Gabon or Chad still needs a visa for Cameroon (an e-visa from evisacam.cm).
- Short visits: working, studying long-term or settling in another country follow that country's own rules on residence permits.
- No common visa for visitors from outside the zone at the time of writing: a Cameroon visa does not let you enter Gabon or Congo.
In practice: borders still differ
Free movement is the rule on paper, but each country keeps the right to control or close its borders for security reasons. Equatorial Guinea has applied it with the most caution: it has closed or tightened its land border with Cameroon several times, and in 2024 the press reported expulsions of Cameroonians from the border town of Kyé-Ossi. Gabon has also closed its borders briefly in times of political tension. Before a land crossing in particular, ask the embassy or the border authorities of the country you are entering.
Land borders and security
Several governments advise against travel near Cameroon's borders with Chad, the Central African Republic and Nigeria, and in the Far North, North-West and South-West regions. Flying to Douala or Yaoundé avoids these areas. Read your government's current advice.
One currency, the FCFA (XAF)
- The six CEMAC countries use the Central African CFA franc (XAF), issued by the regional central bank (BEAC). A note from Libreville or N'Djamena works in Douala.
- Not to be confused with the West African CFA franc (XOF) of Senegal or Côte d'Ivoire. Both have the same value (1 euro = 655.957 FCFA), but West African notes are not used in Cameroonian shops: change them at a bank.
- Mobile Money accounts are national: buy a local SIM card in each country, registered in your name.
- Leaving Cameroon with 5 million FCFA or more in cash must be declared. See money in Cameroon.
Yellow fever and health
Cameroon requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate from every traveller, CEMAC citizens included, and checks it on arrival. Keep it with your identity document for any trip in the region. Our guide to yellow fever and health lists what to prepare.
Practical tips for a regional trip
- 1Check your documentIdentity card or passport valid for the whole trip, and not damaged. Carry a photocopy and a photo on your phone, kept apart from the original.
- 2Check the flight daysRegional routes change often. Confirm the schedule with the airline and keep a day of margin before an important appointment.
- 3Prepare the arrivalHave the address where you are staying and a local phone number written down. Book transport from the airport if you land late.
- 4Keep receiptsFor trade, keep every invoice and work with a licensed freight forwarder for shipping. We do not give customs advice.
- 5Ask before crossing by roadRules and security change: check official advice and ask the border authorities before any land crossing.
Staying in Douala or Yaoundé
Douala is the commercial capital, with the port and the big markets; Yaoundé is the political capital, with ministries, embassies and universities. For a stay of a week or a month, a furnished apartment with a kitchen often suits better than a hotel. See buying goods in Douala and a medical stay in Douala or Yaoundé for two common reasons to come.
Frequently asked questions
Which countries are in CEMAC?
Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. They share the Central African CFA franc.
Can I travel in CEMAC with my national ID card?
Yes. Citizens of the six countries can travel with a valid national identity card or biometric passport. Take your passport if you have one, as airlines sometimes prefer it.
Do I need a visa for Equatorial Guinea as a Cameroonian?
Not in principle: CEMAC citizens are exempt. In practice Equatorial Guinea has closed or tightened its land border several times, so check with its embassy before travelling.
Is the CFA franc of Gabon the same as in Cameroon?
Yes, the six CEMAC countries use the same Central African CFA franc (XAF). The West African CFA franc (XOF) is a different currency, not used in Cameroonian shops.
Does a Cameroon visa allow me to visit Gabon?
No. At the time of writing there is no common CEMAC visa for visitors from outside the zone: each country issues its own.