FINANCE & REGULATION : In Yaoundé, African banking supervisors redefine the foundations of financial stability
(LVDE) – Meeting on June 4 and 5, 2026 in Yaoundé, banking supervisors, regulators, and financial experts from several African countries took part in the Annual Conference of the African Banking Supervisors Community (CSBA). The gathering focused on strengthening banking supervision, modernising regulatory frameworks, and advancing financial integration across the continent, against a backdrop of rapid technological change and rising systemic risks.
Tressy CHOUENTE 
In Yaoundé, the African Banking Supervisors Community (CSBA) concluded two days of high-level technical discussions, bringing together regulatory authorities, central banks, and financial sector experts to address the deep transformations reshaping the continent’s banking landscape.
Held under the auspices of the Bank of Central African States (BEAC) and the Central African Banking Commission (COBAC), the meeting highlighted the need to adapt prudential frameworks to new sector realities, particularly the digitalisation of financial services and the growing influence of cross-border players.
Discussions mainly focused on emerging risk management, with particular attention to cybersecurity, the application of artificial intelligence in supervision, and the regulation of innovations such as digital assets. Participants stressed the need for harmonised tools to strengthen oversight of African banking systems.
In a rapidly evolving financial environment, supervisors also underlined the challenges linked to coordination across national jurisdictions. Financial integration across the continent is increasingly seen as a key lever to strengthen bank resilience and prevent systemic crises.
The first day of proceedings, on June 4, ended in a more informal setting, reflecting both the institutional and collaborative nature of the event, before technical sessions resumed to develop joint recommendations.
A shared observation emerged from the discussions : the speed of technological change requires a parallel evolution of supervisory mechanisms. Regulatory authorities are now called upon to anticipate risks rather than merely react to them, while strengthening regional and continental cooperation.
At the closing session on June 5, CSBA leaders welcomed the quality of contributions and reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation among African supervisors, notably through knowledge sharing, cross-training initiatives, and joint oversight mechanisms.
The recommendations from the Yaoundé conference are expected to inform future reforms of the African banking sector, at a time when financial stability is becoming a strategic priority for supporting economic growth and continental integration.
À propos de l'auteur
Esther Grâce 
Sorelle NINGOUEM 
