At the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (CM14) in Yaoundé, Access Bank Cameroon outlined its ambitions in a strategic segment: African trade finance. By organizing a high-level forum focused on the private sector, the bank placed two key drivers of growth at the center of discussions—formalizing informal trade and improving cross-border flows.
The opening ceremony, led by board chair Patience Melone alongside CEO Ellis Nzo Asu and deputy CEO Irechukwu Ugochukwu Michael, brought together government officials, financial institutions, development partners, entrepreneurs, and trade experts. Organized in partnership with the Ministry of Trade, the event served as a platform to align public priorities, private sector needs, and financing capacity.
Held under the theme “Accelerating the formalization of informal trade and strengthening trade corridors for sustainable and inclusive development,” the forum highlighted several key priorities: simplified trade regimes for SMEs and small traders, reduction of non-tariff barriers and informal payments, integration of informal actors into formal value chains, expanded access to finance, better use of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and improved cross-border logistics.
Formalizing flows to unlock financing
Through this initiative, Access Bank Cameroon is advancing a practical view of African trade. In this approach, growth depends not only on market access but also on the ability to structure flows, secure payments, and connect businesses to appropriate financial solutions. For SMEs, which form the backbone of regional economies, formalization is critical to accessing credit, integrating into value chains, and scaling operations.
The forum also emphasized sustainable trade finance and payment modernization, reinforcing the bank’s positioning. Discussions focused on reducing Africa’s SME financing gap, developing risk-sharing mechanisms, and strengthening infrastructure investments aligned with ESG standards.
Cross-border payments: a market in transition
Building on these discussions, the bank highlighted several structural priorities: instant and interoperable payments, cross-border settlement systems, digital identity, harmonized KYC procedures, and cybersecurity. For businesses, these developments are essential to reduce delays, lower transaction costs, and improve the efficiency of trade corridors still constrained by regulatory, logistical, and financial barriers.
Speaking at the event, Trade Minister Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana stressed the economic stakes. “Africa’s growth depends on our ability to formalize trade,” he said, calling for stronger regional value chains and more effective public-private collaboration to support industrial development and economic integration.
Access Bank Cameroon echoed this view. CEO Ellis Nzo Asu emphasized the importance of market connectivity. “Sustainable growth in Africa will be driven by better-connected markets,” he said, adding that structuring informal trade can support employment, accelerate financial inclusion, and expand regional prosperity.
Beyond the forum, the initiative reflects a broader strategic positioning for the bank. Present in Cameroon since May 2022, following regulatory approval in February of the same year, Access Bank Cameroon is steadily strengthening its presence, with a focus on SMEs, women-led businesses, and youth-driven innovation. The bank currently operates seven branches in Douala and Yaoundé, combining proximity with tailored financing solutions.
This local strategy is backed by the strength of the wider Access Bank Group, which operates in 25 countries, including 17 African markets, as well as several global financial hubs. For the bank, this footprint offers a competitive advantage at a time when connecting clients to major trade and investment corridors is becoming a key differentiator. Its services include international payments, cross-border settlements, trade finance instruments, guarantees, and short-term financing, all aligned with CEMAC regulatory requirements.
By engaging on issues of trade formalization, logistics, payments, and financing, Access Bank Cameroon is moving beyond a supporting role in Africa’s economic debate to position itself as a structuring player. At CM14, the bank reaffirmed its ambition to become a leading force in trade finance and regional integration in Central Africa.
Baudouin Enama
