In Yaoundé, April 2, 2025, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Afriland First Bank Cameroon announced an ambitious partnership aimed at facilitating access to financing for Cameroonian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This agreement, which provides substantial financial support, aims to stimulate private sector growth and encourage entrepreneurial innovation.
As part of this collaboration, IFC will provide Afriland First Bank with a $60 million euro financing line. This amount includes $20 million in equity and $40 million leveraged from other lenders. The loans will be senior, unsecured, with a repayment term of up to five years and a one-year grace period. This initiative aims to address the barriers Cameroonian SMEs face in accessing financing. It will enable them to expand their businesses, invest in modern technology, and promote job creation.
In addition to the financing, IFC is committed to providing training to Afriland First Bank staff. The goal is to strengthen the bank’s capacity to better serve SMEs by strengthening its risk management framework and developing new, tailored financial products. Particular attention will be paid to women-led businesses, which face additional challenges in their search for financing. By providing them with better access to financial resources, this partnership aims to promote a more inclusive and dynamic economic environment.
“We are delighted to be working with IFC to support the growth of SMEs in Cameroon,” said Célestin GUELA SIMO, Managing Director of Afriland First Bank. “This partnership will enable us to scale up the financing that small businesses need to grow and play a greater role in the country’s economic development.” Dahlia Khalifa, IFC Regional Director for Central and Anglophone West Africa, said, “Through this partnership with Afriland First Bank, we aim to bridge the SME financing gap and empower entrepreneurs to innovate and create jobs.”
The International Finance Corporation (IFC)
A member of the World Bank Group, IFC is the largest global institution dedicated to private sector development in emerging markets. Operating in more than 100 countries, we mobilize our capital and expertise to foster economic growth and improve people’s lives. In 2024, IFC committed a record $56 billion to the private sector.
Afriland First Bank
A major player in Cameroon’s financial sector, Afriland First Bank plays a strategic role in the country’s economic development. With outstanding financing of 988.17 billion FCFA as of December 31, 2024, the bank offers solutions tailored to the needs of businesses of all sizes. It actively supports SMEs through innovative mechanisms and exchange spaces that foster their development.
