CEMAC financial institutions expand regional presence

Financial institutions within the CEMAC zone are expanding their regional footprints, facilitated by a new single licensing regime. Cameroonian CCA-Bank has received authorization from Congolese authorities to open a branch in Brazzaville. This move follows a favorable opinion from the Commission Bancaire de l'Afrique Centrale (COBAC) in July. CCA-Bank aims to use this structure to target further expansion into Chad, the Central African Republic, and Gabon.

In a separate regional development, Gabonese microfinance firm Bamboo EMF has announced plans to enter the Cameroonian market by June 2027, with a target branch in Douala. To support its growth and expand its loan portfolio, Bamboo EMF is seeking to raise CFAF 5 billion through a bond issue on the CEMAC financial market. The institution intends to use the funds to increase lending to salaried workers and informal sector operators, while also developing mobile money and card payment services.