FINANCIAL INCLUSION : Towards the Opening of a CCA-Bank Cameroon Subsidiary in Chad

(LVDE) –  This initiative, which marks an important turning point for Chad’s banking sector and aligns with the country’s economic development ambitions, was announced on August 25, 2025, by a delegation from CCA Bank Cameroon during an audience granted by the Chadian Minister of Finance.

The recent visit of a CCA Bank Cameroon delegation to Chad’s Ministry of Finance generated significant interest. On Monday, August 25, Minister Tahir Hamid Nguilin welcomed the representatives to discuss the upcoming establishment of CCA Bank Chad. This will be the Cameroonian bank’s first venture outside its domestic market, reflecting its ambition to diversify operations. The expansion responds to a pressing need: improving access to financial services in Chad, where banking penetration remains very low.

Currently, Chad has about ten commercial banks, mostly dominated by Ecobank and Commercial Bank Chad. According to the latest data, the country’s banking penetration rate was just 5% in 2021—far below the CEMAC average of 12%. This underscores the untapped potential of Chad’s financial sector, with CCA Bank’s entry expected to serve as a catalyst for significant transformation.

CCA Bank’s initiative is in line with the national strategy “Chad Connection 2030”, an ambitious plan to strengthen financial inclusion and promote sustainable economic development. By offering new banking services, the bank hopes to improve access to credit for both individuals and businesses. This support is vital for boosting the local economy and driving structural projects in a country undergoing profound change.

Founded in 1997 in Bafoussam, CCA Bank gradually grew into a full-fledged banking institution in 2018 after receiving authorization from the Central African Banking Commission. Today, it ranks 8th in Cameroon in terms of outstanding loans, with a 6.17% market share. Its financial results are encouraging: by the end of 2024, total assets had reached CFAF 837 billion, with a net banking income of CFAF 53.6 billion and a net profit up by 46.7% compared to the previous year.

Chad’s banking landscape is also evolving. Recent statistics show that the sector approved 12,114 new loans in the third quarter of 2024, up 7.5% year-on-year. However, the total value of loans dropped sharply, from CFAF 275 billion to CFAF 135.5 billion over the same period. This decline raises concerns about the country’s economic health and investor confidence in the local banking system.

Ecobank Chad remains the market leader, holding 32% of total loans, followed by Commercial Bank Chad with 31.59%. Coris Bank Chad ranks third with 11.55%. The remaining banks hold less than 10% each. In this context, CCA Bank’s entry could intensify competition, pushing existing players to diversify their offerings and improve service quality.

Esther Grace