The Central African Stock Exchange (Bvmac) stock market underperformed in 2024, marked by a 4.9% decline in market capitalization. This situation is mainly linked to the 8.18% decline in the Socapalm share price, coupled with the stagnation or decline of other listed stocks. However, a recovery is expected in 2025 with the entry of new companies into the market.

In 2024, Bvmac saw its market capitalization fall from 66.47 billion FCFA to 64.3 billion FCFA, a decrease of 2.177 billion FCFA (-4.9%). This underperformance is mainly attributed to the mixed dynamics of the Socapalm share, which recorded an annual decline of 8.18%. Despite fluctuations between a maximum price of 50,600 FCFA and a minimum price of 41,400 FCFA, the share closed the year at 46,000 FCFA, accentuating the market’s gloom.
In addition to Socapalm, the Société Africaine Forestière et Agricole du Cameroun (Safacam) also contributed to this gloomy climate with a decline of 0.75% year-on-year and 24.8% compared to its initial public offering. On the other hand, the Société des Eaux Minérales du Cameroun (Semc) stood out by recording a slight increase of 2.3%, the best performance of the year. Its prices fluctuated between 42,299 FCFA and 51,699 FCFA. Other stocks such as SCG-Ré, La Régionale Bank and Bange Bank remained static, without bringing any dynamism to the market.
The arrival of two new companies, BGFI Holding Corporation and Commercial Bank, is expected to boost the Equity compartment in 2025. These companies plan to open 10% and 30% of their capital to the public respectively, a major act that could encourage other players in the CEMAC zone (Cameroon, Gabon, Chad, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Congo) to use the regional financial market for their financing needs.
Bvmac, in search of revitalization, is counting on these new introductions to reverse the downward trend observed in 2024. A pivotal year is coming, where the challenge will be to make the stock market more attractive and efficient, in the service of regional economic development.