At 8th Business Series in Douala: UBA Cameroon drums service digitalisation, SME finance.

It was held under the theme: “Competitiveness, Financing and Digital Payments in Business Growth”.

The event, held as part of the bank’s capacity-building initiatives, focused on equipping small and medium-sized enterprises with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive economic landscape.

The event featured a high-level panel comprising Momar Kane, Chief Executive of Falocam Sarl; Joël Sikam, Managing Director of Fisco and President of the Cameroon Young Entrepreneurs' Employers' Federation, PAJEC, and Daniel Talla Kuate, President of the Mines and Construction Section at the Cameroon Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Crafts.

Panellists offered practical insights into market challenges, competitiveness drivers and financing opportunities, with discussions underscoring the critical role played by SMEs in the Cameroonian economy.

It emerged from the event that SMEs currently account for more than 80 per cent of the country's economic fabric, yet the sector continues to grapple with structural hurdles, most notably the dominance of the informal economy. 

Speakers stressed the urgent need for stronger institutional support to help businesses transition into the formal sector and unlock their full growth potential.

Digital transformation also came up as a key focus, with speakers emphasising the growing importance of digital payments in improving efficiency and financial inclusion. 

The rise in mobile money usage, with more than 21 million accounts and increasing electronic transactions, was identified as a major opportunity for SMEs to scale operations, improve cash flow management and expand into new markets.

The President of the Mines and Construction Section at the Cameroon Chamber of Commerce, Daniel Talla Kuate, stressed that stronger institutional support is needed to help businesses transition from the informal to the formal sector.

Through the UBA Business Series platform, the bank continues to promote knowledge sharing, financial education and networking opportunities for entrepreneurs. 

The initiative is designed to provide practical strategies to boost productivity, facilitate access to funding and support sustainable growth across sectors including healthcare, logistics, industry and pharmaceuticals.

UBA Cameroun stated it remains committed to supporting entrepreneurship and strengthening the private sector through innovative solutions, strategic partnerships and targeted capacity-building programmes aimed at fostering a more resilient business environment.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3762 of Thursday April 16, 2026