Credit card limit calculator for the WAEMU states
Enter one applicant or cardholder to see a credit card limit in the WAEMU states. The result is the lowest of what card behaviour allows, what income carries after other debts, the lender’s own income cap and what the market’s rules allow, and shows which one binds.
Credit limit
The limit is XOF 1,000,000, set by behaviour limit. Behaviour gives XOF 1,000,000, income carries XOF 2,000,000, and the market’s rules allow no cap, which reflects an income cap in some markets and a repayment test in others.
A new applicant starts at the starting multiple of monthly income.
Candidate limits
The lowest candidate is the limit, and a candidate with no cap has no bar.
Market rules for this person
| Rule | Cap for person | Applies |
|---|---|---|
| No income cap on card limits was found in the central bank’s texts. The affordability limit stands for the issuer’s own assessment here. | Yes | |
| The card’s effective rate may not exceed the usury ceiling, 14% a year for a bank and 24% for other lenders. | Yes |
These summaries cover each regulator’s rule for this tool and do not reproduce the full text. The issuer checks the current text. The lowest applicable cap is the market’s cap.
Behaviour decision table
| Months on book | Missed payments | Utilisation | Paid in full | Limit action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <6 | ANY | ANY | ANY | Hold limit |
| >=6 | >=2 | ANY | ANY | Cut by 50% |
| >=6 | 1 | ANY | ANY | Hold limit |
| >=6 | 0 | >=70% | >=50% | Raise by 50% |
| >=6 | 0 | >=70% | <50% | Hold limit |
| >=6 | 0 | >=30% | ANY | Raise by 25% |
| >=6 | 0 | <30% | ANY | Hold limit |
Rows paste as decision table cells, and the first matching row wins.
Get the result by email
Run these limit rules inside the credit decision for every application and cardholder, read limits held elsewhere from the bureau at that moment, and test threshold changes on past decisions before they go live. Start free
Show formulas
Behaviour limit, New applicant = Starting income multiple × Monthly net income Behaviour limit, Cardholder = Today’s limit × (1 + Large increase | Small increase) or × (1 − Cut after missed payments) Affordability limit = (Income share for all debt payments × Monthly net income − Other debt payments) ÷ Card payment share of limit Own income cap = Own income cap × Monthly net income Market = Lowest applicable market cap Credit limit = min(Behaviour limit, Affordability limit, Own income cap, Market), Rounded down Rounding step
The affordability limit assumes the card is fully drawn, and the behaviour rules are an example policy to edit, not a standard. Regulatory caps are summaries for this tool and are not legal advice.
Credit card limits in the WAEMU states
The BCEAO texts reviewed for this tool show no income cap on card limits in the WAEMU states, so the affordability limit reflects the issuer’s own assessment. From 1 June 2026, the usury ceiling is 14% a year for banks and 24% for other lenders.
The calculator takes the lowest of the behaviour limit, affordability limit, the lender’s own income cap and any market cap, then names the one that sets the result. Which limit binds varies by person, so use the result to review one applicant or cardholder and edit the example behaviour policy.
WAEMU credit card limit questions
How is a credit card limit set in the WAEMU states?
The tool compares the behaviour limit, affordability limit, the lender’s own income cap and any market cap. No income cap was found in the BCEAO texts for the WAEMU states, and the calculator names the lowest limit that sets the result.
Is there an income cap on credit card limits in WAEMU?
No income cap on card limits was found in the BCEAO texts. The affordability limit reflects the issuer’s own assessment of income and other debt payments.
What does the BCEAO say about credit card limits?
No income cap on card limits was found in the BCEAO texts for the WAEMU states. The issuer’s affordability assessment helps determine the limit.
What is the UEMOA usury rate for credit cards?
From 1 June 2026, the usury ceiling is 14% a year for banks and 24% for other lenders. No income cap on card limits was found in the BCEAO texts, and the tool shows the usury ceiling as a rule.
How does a card limit calculator work in XOF?
The tool compares the behaviour limit, affordability limit and the lender’s own income cap with any market cap. No income cap on card limits was found in the BCEAO texts for the WAEMU states, so the issuer’s affordability assessment is part of the result.