CCA Bank, Bertoua University sign strategic financial inclusion partnership.

The strategic agreement was signed at the Rectorate of the University of Bertoua June 20, 2025. The Rector of the University of Bertoua, Prof Professor Dieudonné Emmanuel Pegnyemb, and the General Manager of CCA Bank, Marguerite Fonkwen Atanga, put pen on paper for the deal for their respective institutions. 

The agreement, officials said, is part of a broader agenda to modernise higher education through closer collaboration with the financial sector.

The deal has been described by officials of both institutions as a strategic alliance which lays the foundation for a fruitful collaboration between finance and education, in service of a more inclusive, better-skilled, and forward-looking Cameroon.

Speaking during the event, the General Manager of CCA Bank, Marguerite Fonkwen Atanga, reaffirmed the financial institution’s commitment to supporting youth.

“We are convinced that Cameroon’s future lies in its youth. Through this agreement, we want to stand by them—from university through to entrepreneurship," Fonkwen Atanga said. 

For his part, the Rector of the University of Bertoua, Prof Dieudonné Emmanuel Pegnyemb, welcomed the partnership as a beacon of hope. 

“This initiative goes well beyond financial matters. It embodies our commitment to making the University of Bertoua a true agent of development, fully in tune with the realities of our time," Prof Pegnyemb stated. 

Flexible, lasting agreement

The agreement, it was detailed, is initially valid for twelve months, with automatic renewal. Officials said it is designed to evolve according to the needs of both institutions. 

It was stated that in the event of any disagreement, amicable resolution will be prioritized, in accordance with Cameroonian law.

For the University of Bertoua, the agreement, it was detailed, opens the door to tailored financing solutions for infrastructure, equipment, and academic development projects, subject to the opening of institutional accounts with CCA Bank and the irrevocable domiciliation of tuition fees and government subsidies.

Tailored services for students, staff

At the heart of the collaboration is the "STARTERS" offer, a specially designed student account that requires only a symbolic initial deposit of 1,000 FCFA. 

The initiative aims to promote financial inclusion from the moment students enter university.

Aside the banking access, the agreement includes the opportunity for students to undertake internships within the CCA Bank network, offering them their first exposure to the professional world, access to digital solutions such as Moving Money and C-online, enabling secure and real-time payments, particularly for tuition fees.

It also includes post-graduation project funding for students with innovative ideas, evaluated and supported by a team of banking experts.

Academic and administrative staff are also expected to benefit from personalised credit, savings, and financial advisory services, thus improving their overall well-being and professional performance.

Shared vision for regional dev’t 

Beyond its practical implications, the partnership, officials said, reflects a shared desire to strengthen ties between the banking sector and academia, in pursuit of local development, innovation, and youth empowerment in Cameroon.

By partnering with CCA Bank, the University of Bertoua, it was added, takes a major step towards modern financial management and improved student support, while reinforcing its position as a key actor in addressing regional socio-economic challenges.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3486 of Friday June 27, 2025