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10TH EDITION OF THE PROMOTE TRADE FAIR : Afriland First Bank finances the participation of 40 SMEs and strengthens its support for businesses

(LVDE) – On April 15, 2026 in Yaoundé, Afriland First Bank and the Interprogress Foundation renewed their partnership ahead of the 10th edition of the PROMOTE Fair, scheduled from June 12 to 21, 2026 at the Yaoundé Conference Centre. On this occasion, the Cameroonian bank announced a direct support package for SMEs, including full funding for 40 companies, cost reductions, and enhanced technical assistance for its exhibiting clients.

Tressy CHOUENTE Publié :16 avril 2026 | Mis à jour :16 avril 2026 2 minutes lues

Célestin Guela Simo, Chief Executive Officer of Afriland First Bank, and Pierre Zumbach of the Inter-Progress Foundation.

In Cameroon’s capital, preparations for the 10th edition of the International Exhibition of Enterprises, SMEs and Partnership (PROMOTE) are taking on a more proactive dimension for the banking sector. By renewing its agreement with the Interprogress Foundation, Afriland First Bank has moved beyond a purely institutional partnership to commit to targeted financing for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The announced scheme provides for the full coverage of participation costs for 40 SMEs at the 2026 edition of the fair, in reference to the bank’s 40th anniversary. It also includes a discount ranging from 30% to 35% on exhibition fees for client companies, as well as broader support covering advisory services, business networking and visibility.

For the bank’s management, PROMOTE is designed as an economic acceleration platform. The stated objective is to turn fair opportunities into concrete contracts and measurable growth for local businesses, in an environment where access to finance and markets remains a major constraint for Cameroonian SMEs.

Figures released by the bank highlight its weight in financing the real economy: more than 1,200 billion FCFA in loans granted to the private sector in 2025, deposit outstanding estimated at around 1,950 billion FCFA, and total assets exceeding 2,550 billion FCFA. The bank also reports an extensive footprint, with around 100 branches in Cameroon and operations in about ten African countries.

Created as a meeting point for businesses, investors and institutions, PROMOTE has over the years become a major economic event in Central Africa. The 2026 edition carries symbolic significance, marking both the 25th anniversary of the fair and Afriland First Bank’s 40 years of activity.

Beyond official statements, the challenge is also structural: strengthening the competitiveness of local SMEs in a context marked by regional competition and financing constraints. The renewed partnership fits into a broader effort to consolidate the entrepreneurial ecosystem, focusing on visibility, networking and access to capital.

For both organizers and the bank, this edition is expected to represent a new step in transforming the fair into a true growth platform. This orientation further underscores the growing role of public-private partnerships in shaping Cameroon’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.