(Business in Cameroon) – The Board of Directors of the International Bank of Cameroon for Savings and Credit (Bicec) has named Constant Metou’ou Amvela as the new Chairman, following the passing of Jean Baptiste Bokam, who held the position for 34 years. The decision, announced on September 26, 2024, comes more than eight months after Bokam’s death in January.
Metou’ou Amvela is a seasoned financial expert with degrees from the Higher Institute of Applied Management in Casablanca, Morocco, and Cameroon’s National School of Administration and Magistracy (ENAM). He also holds several certifications from the International Monetary Fund Institute and the National School of Public Administration in Quebec. Currently serving as a senior technical adviser to the Minister of Finance, Metou’ou Amvela has vast experience in finance, having held roles such as bank controller and head of monitoring at the Ministry of Finance. He joined Bicec’s board in 2008, representing the State of Cameroon, and has been actively involved in the institution, including as Chair of the Audit Committee.
His appointment is seen as strategic for Bicec, given his deep knowledge of the bank and his role in helping it recover from the 2016 financial crisis, during which CFA50 billion was embezzled over 12 years. According to the bank’s statement, his expertise in the national and regional financial environment and his understanding of major economic issues in Cameroon will be valuable in driving Bicec’s growth and supporting the country’s economy.
Acquired in 2019 by Morocco’s Banque Centrale Populaire (BCP) group from France’s Banque Populaire Caisse d’Epargne (BPCE), Bicec is a key player in Cameroon’s banking sector. With 40 branches, the bank serves over 380,000 clients and employs nearly 700 staff, offering services to individuals, professionals, and businesses.
