Access Bank Cameroon leveraged the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (CM14) in Yaoundé to reaffirm its commitment to financing African trade. The bank organized a high-level forum focused on the private sector, highlighting the progressive formalization of informal trade and the facilitation of cross-border exchanges as essential levers for continental growth.
The opening ceremony brought together government officials, financial institutions, development partners, entrepreneurs, and trade experts, under the leadership of Patience Melone, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Access Bank Cameroon, alongside Managing Director Ellis Nzo Asu and Deputy Managing Director Irechukwu Ugochukwu Michael. The event, organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce, served as a platform to align public priorities, private sector needs, and financing capabilities.
The forum, themed "Accelerating the Formalization of Informal Trade and Strengthening Trade Corridors for Sustainable and Inclusive Development," highlighted key areas such as simplified trade regimes for SMEs, the reduction of non-tariff barriers, the integration of informal actors into formal value chains, and improved access to financing.
Access Bank Cameroon aims to structure trade flows, secure payments, and connect economic operators to suitable financial solutions. Formalization is essential for SMEs, as it improves access to credit, integration into value chains, and the ability to scale up.
Particular emphasis was placed on sustainable trade finance and the modernization of payments, essential elements of the bank's positioning. Discussions focused on reducing the financing gap for African SMEs, developing risk-sharing mechanisms, and strengthening infrastructure investments aligned with ESG criteria.
The bank also highlighted the importance of instant and interoperable payments, cross-border settlements, digital identity, harmonization of KYC procedures, and cybersecurity. These improvements aim to reduce delays, lower transaction costs, and improve the efficiency of trade corridors.
The Minister of Commerce, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, emphasized the importance of formalizing trade for Africa's growth, calling for the strengthening of regional value chains and more effective public-private cooperation. Ellis Nzo Asu, Managing Director of Access Bank Cameroon, highlighted the importance of market connectivity and support for economic operators for sustainable growth.
Access Bank Cameroon, present since May 2022, focuses on SMEs, women-led businesses, and youth-led innovation. The bank has seven branches in Douala and Yaoundé and relies on the group's presence in 25 countries, including 17 in Africa, to connect its clients to trade and investment corridors. The bank offers solutions for international payments, cross-border settlements, documentary credits, and short-term financing, in compliance with Cemac regulations. By focusing on the formalization of African trade, Access Bank Cameroon aims to become a key player in trade integration in Central Africa.
