Forex trading is legal in Guinea-Bissau and operates under the regulatory framework of the West African Economic and Monetary Union. The Central Bank of West African States is responsible for defining and implementing monetary policy within WAEMU, ensuring stability of the banking and financial system, implementing exchange rate policy, and managing official foreign exchange reserves of member states (1). Guinea-Bissau is a member of WAEMU alongside Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo, using the CFA franc as its currency (2).
The Guinea-Bissau Investment Code guarantees natural and legal persons the right to convert foreign currency into CFA francs and vice versa, as well as the remittance abroad of amounts due in respect of profits, dividends, or repatriation of capital according to legislation in force. The State guarantees transfer abroad through the banking system of dividends and profits minus amortization and taxes due, and the repatriation of capital corresponding to foreign investment in company equity (2). All staff employed by foreign companies legally entitled to live and work in Guinea-Bissau have the right to transfer abroad all or part of their remuneration after fulfilling tax obligations (2).
"To manage the official foreign exchange reserves of the WAMU member States. In keeping with monetary equilibrium, the Central Bank may carry out specific missions or projects."
Foreign exchange regulations require that investments and loans above specified thresholds must be domiciled with local banks, with all transactions reported to the Ministry of Finance and BCEAO within 30 days. Operations relating to transfer, sale, or liquidation of investments between residents and foreign investors are free, with export of proceeds guaranteed after deduction of respective taxes (2). The BCEAO has implemented stricter rules governing repatriation and foreign currency transfers, requiring residents to repatriate foreign currencies held abroad and obtain prior authorization for non-residents to open CFA franc accounts (1).
Source:
https://www.bceao.int/en/content/missions-bceao
https://investmentpolicy.unctad.org/investment-laws/laws/260/guinea-bissau-investment-code
Last updated: 15-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
