Question 1

How do I create a Centeem account?

Accepted Answer

Download the app on iOS or Android, open it, enter your phone number, receive an SMS code, photograph your ID card (front + back) + a selfie. Our AI verifies in 1 minute, and you can start using Centeem immediately.

Question 2

What documents are required?

Accepted Answer

For a personal account: your Algerian biometric ID card or your passport. For a Business account: additionally, your trade register + tax ID. For foreign visitors: passport only.

Question 3

How long does account opening take?

Accepted Answer

5 minutes on average. AI identity verification takes under 60 seconds. If the AI detects a doubt, a human agent takes over within 24-48h.

Question 4

Can I have several accounts (Personal + Business)?

Accepted Answer

Yes. With the same phone number, you can have a separate Personal account and Business account. You switch between them in the app in one click.

Question 5

Is there a minimum age?

Accepted Answer

Yes, 18. For minors, a "junior account" feature will arrive in a future version (managed by a parent).

Question 6

What are Centeem's fees?

Accepted Answer

P2P transfers between Centeem accounts: free. CCP / BaridiMob top-up: free. Merchant acceptance (QR / contactless / PayLink): up to 1% on the professional side (sliding, 0.3% above 500,000 DZD, capped at 1,000 DZD per transaction). Withdrawal via partner agent: up to 2% (sliding, capped at 700 DZD, split 0.5% Centeem + 1.5% agent). Cash top-up via agent: up to 1.5% (sliding, capped at 500 DZD, 100% to the agent). BaridiMob withdrawal (Personal): up to 1% (sliding, capped at 500 DZD; free for Pro accounts). No subscription, inactivity or account maintenance fees.

Question 7

Are there transfer limits?

Accepted Answer

Personal account (KYC L2): 150,000 DZD per operation, 400,000 DZD per day, 1,500,000 DZD per month. Pro account (KYC L2): 300,000 / 500,000 / 2,000,000 DZD. Foreign visitor account (KYC L2 passport + visa): 150,000 / 400,000 / 1,500,000 DZD. Pro limits can be raised at KYC L3 (additional documents).

Question 8

Can I have an overdraft?

Accepted Answer

No. Centeem is a wallet: you can only spend what you've deposited. This is intentional, to avoid over-indebtedness.

Question 9

How do I withdraw cash?

Accepted Answer

Open the app, go to "Withdraw", choose "At an agent", generate a QR. Show the QR to any partner agent across the 69 wilayas (grocers, kiosks, multiservices). The agent hands you the cash, and your balance is debited immediately.

Question 10

How do I deposit cash?

Accepted Answer

Same principle: you hand the cash to an agent, the agent scans your QR (or enters your number), your Centeem balance is credited instantly.

Question 11

How many partner agents are there?

Accepted Answer

Our goal is to have at least 3,000 partner agents at launch, spread across the 69 wilayas. You see the map in real time in the app to find the nearest agent.

Question 12

What if the agent has no cash available?

Accepted Answer

You see their availability (eFloat available) on the map before travelling. If you arrive and they're out of cash, your operation is cancelled automatically and no money is debited.

Question 13

Is my money safe?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All the money you deposit is held in a bank ring-fenced account separate from Centeem's own capital. If Centeem goes bankrupt, your money is returned to you in full. Centeem's Bank of Algeria licensing is in progress (Instruction 06-2025).

Question 14

What do I do if I lose my phone?

Accepted Answer

Log in from any other device (web or the app on a friend's phone). Go to Security → Active sessions → Log out everywhere. Your money stays protected: without biometrics + PIN, no one can access it.

Question 15

What do I do in case of a fraudulent transaction?

Accepted Answer

Freeze your account immediately from the app. Contact support within 48h. After investigation, any fraudulent transfer not authorised by you is refunded.

Question 16

Is my data shared?

Accepted Answer

Never with third parties for commercial or advertising purposes. Only with the Algerian authorities (Bank of Algeria, CTRF, courts) upon legal request, like all banks.

Question 17

I'm a tourist, how do I open an account?

Accepted Answer

Download the app, choose "Visitor account", use your passport (not your national ID). Identity verification takes 5 minutes. You can pay everywhere in Algeria immediately.

Question 18

How long does my visitor account stay active?

Accepted Answer

For the validity period of your Algerian visa. When the visa expires, the account is put to sleep. You can withdraw your balance at any time before that.

Question 19

Can I convert my euros / dollars to DZD via Centeem?

Accepted Answer

Not directly. Centeem does not offer currency conversion for now. You must fund your Centeem account in DZD via local transfer or cash at an agent.

Question 20

Can my Android phone really replace a POS?

Accepted Answer

Yes, provided it has contactless technology (available on most Android phones released after 2017). Your customers pay by tapping their bank card or phone against yours, exactly like a traditional POS. On iPhone, collection is done via QR.

Question 21

How do I create accounts for my employees?

Accepted Answer

In the Business app, go to "Team" → "Add an employee". You set their role (cashier, manager) and permissions. Each employee has their own login, their operations are tracked and visible in your dashboard.

Question 22

Can I export my accounting?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in one click. You generate a PDF or Excel with all your collections by day / month / year, the breakdown by payment method (contactless, QR, link), and net and gross totals.

All your questions, clear answers

💳 Account & sign-up

💰 Fees & limits

🏪 Cash & agents

🛡️ Security

✈️ Visitors in Algeria

🏪 Business / merchants

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