In the lead-up to March 8th, International Women's Day, Celestin Guela Simo, CEO of Afriland First Bank, released a statement emphasizing the crucial importance of women's economic empowerment for the future of Africa. He highlights that less than 25% of women in the CEMAC zone have a bank account, an alarming figure that requires urgent action.
Guela Simo insists that investing in women is not simply a matter of social responsibility but an essential sustainable development strategy for Cameroon and the entire African continent. This vision is at the heart of the bank's Afriland Horizon 2030 strategic plan.
Afriland First Bank has integrated women's economic empowerment into the core of its mission. The bank is committed to transforming the current paradigm where the financial system lacks imagination in the face of women's needs. To achieve this, it is implementing concrete actions, including facilitated access to credit with flexible conditions and guarantee mechanisms adapted to female entrepreneurship. The bank also offers personalized support, from the creation to the growth of the company.
Financial inclusion through digital technology is another priority, with the development of mobile banking solutions and digital savings platforms aimed at banking women who often do not have access to formal financial services. Afriland First Bank is also investing in training programs in business management and female leadership, because empowerment comes through knowledge and self-confidence.
Internally, Afriland First Bank is committed to strengthening the representation of women in positions of responsibility, guaranteeing equal pay and creating an inclusive work environment. As part of its Horizon 2030 plan, the bank sets ambitious goals, such as increasing the share of women in its SME credit portfolio and becoming the benchmark bank for inclusive finance for women in Central Africa.
Guela Simo is launching a call for collective action, inviting players in the banking sector, regulators and civil society to join forces to make the CEMAC zone a space where women are no longer economically disadvantaged. He recalls that Afriland First Bank's commitment to women is constant and integrated into its DNA.
For Afriland First Bank, an Africa that unleashes the economic potential of its women is an Africa that progresses faster.
