For multiple contributions to growth: Afriland First Bank retains best bank award again.

The event held in Yaounde, April 30, under the theme: “Private Investment: Building the New Economic Power of CEMAC”.

The award, presented at the fourth edition of the forum, recognises Afriland First Bank's sustained leadership, commitment to financing the real economy and its contribution to financial inclusion across the sub-region.

Afriland as undisputed leader

Data shows Afriland First Bank has continued to stay relevant in powering development in the public and private sectors. 

It holds the record, as at the close of 2025, with injecting over 1,667 billion FCFA into the economy through credits.

Within the same year, Afriland First Bank recorded deposits from clients amounting to 1.950 billion FCFA. 

Several Small and Medium Sized Enterprises, SMEs, and major enterprises across the country continue to enjoy funding from Afriland First Bank.

Beyond being the domestic leader in the banking sector, Afriland First Bank is also expanding across the CEMAC Subregion, confirming its place as the lead financial institution driving growth at all levels.

Supporting sustainable dev’t

Speaking at the opening ceremony on behalf of the Director General Célestin Guela Simo, the Deputy Director General, Hervé Ayissi, outlined the bank’s perspective on the evolving role of financial institutions in supporting economic development.

“Our conviction at Afriland First Bank is clear. There will be no sustainable emergence of CEMAC without a strong, structured private sector supported by financial institutions capable of transforming savings into investment, and ambitions into shared prosperity,” Ayissi noted.

Afriland’s role in economic transformation

According to Afriland, economic transformation cannot rely solely on public funding, but requires a more active and coordinated contribution from private actors, financial markets, and banking institutions.

Ayissi underscored that Afriland's role extended well beyond conventional banking operations. 

He told policymakers and financial leaders that the institution had, since its creation, placed the financing of the real economy at the very core of its identity, backing entrepreneurs, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, financing anchor companies, and actively working to deepen financial inclusion across multiple African countries.

“Our role is not limited to collecting savings and granting credit. We also advise, structure, support and secure projects, while promoting good governance and inclusive growth,” he said.

Three pillars for new economic power

In his address, Ayissi outlined what he described as three fundamental requirements for private investment to become the genuine engine of CEMAC's economic transformation.

The first, he said, was trust. He noted investors, whether local, sub-regional or international, require a stable, transparent and predictable environment, underpinned by clear rules, credible economic governance and an ongoing dialogue between governments, regulators, banks and business operators.

The second requirement, he stated, is the quality of projects. While Central Africa is rich in ideas and opportunities, Ayissi stressed that such opportunities must be translated into structured, bankable and sustainable projects. 

He was firm that it is a collective responsibility that financial institutions, governments and development actors must shoulder together.

While mentioning regional integration as the third pillar, Ayissi argued that CEMAC can only become an economic powerhouse if it functions as a genuinely integrated space for investment, production, trade and capital flows.

“Taken in isolation, our markets may appear narrow. Together, they form a space of considerable growth, opportunity as well as competitiveness. It is in this spirit that banks, capital markets, institutional investors and private actors must work with greater synergy,” the Deputy Director General stated.

Challenges & opportunities in equal measure

Ayissi did not shy away from the structural challenges facing the sub-region. He cited the mobilisation of long-term savings, the deepening of sub-regional financial markets, SME financing, the strengthening of bank capital, and the structuring of large-scale projects amongst the pressing issues requiring collective action.

Yet, he was emphatic about the opportunities at hand, notably Central Africa's significant natural resources, its young population, dynamic entrepreneurs, considerable agricultural potential, and a regional market that remains largely untapped.

“The development of CEMAC will be built first and foremost by Africans, with African capital, in partnership with international investors who share our vision of sustainable growth and shared prosperity. Central Africa does not only need financing, it needs a new financial vision,” Ayissi underscored.

Supporter of key initiatives

As official sponsor of the Finance Week 2026, the Bank was at the centre of discussions focused on positioning Cameroon within the CEMAC sub-region.

The gathering brought together more than 300 public and private sector decision-makers, policymakers, financial institutions, and investors to strengthen dialogue on economic transformation and regional integration.

Finance Week 2026 placed strong emphasis on private investment as a key driver of structural transformation. 

Participants examined strategies to mobilise domestic resources, improve investment attractiveness, and diversify economies within the sub-region. 

The platform also addressed challenges linked to financing, governance, and regional integration.

Driving forward the CEMAC agenda

Finance Week by EcoMatin, officials said, continues to serve as a platform for high-level exchanges on the future of the region’s economy. 

Discussions during the 2026 edition focused on mobilising long-term savings, financing infrastructure, supporting SMEs, and advancing industrialisation and digital transformation. 

Afriland First Bank reiterated its commitment to supporting the priorities and contributing to a stronger, more integrated regional economy. The event concluded with calls for concrete partnerships and actionable recommendations to advance private investment across CEMAC.

Other regional champions recognized

While Afriland First Bank took centre stage with its leadership award, other organisations were also honoured for their contributions to economic development. 

Keda Cameroon Ceramics received recognition for industrial leadership, while Coris Holding was acknowledged as a champion of African financial integration. 

The Central African Stock Exchange was equally recognised for structural reforms aimed at strengthening regional capital markets.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3787 of Tuesday May 12, 2026