Discussions on credit access in CEMAC

Discussions held on October 1st and 2nd, 2026, in Bangui, Central African Republic, during the Bangui Financial Days and the CEMAC Banker Days focused on improving access to credit within the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC).

Regional representative highlights coordination needs

Claude Owona, regional representative of the SFI for financial institutions in Central and West Africa, emphasized the need for better coordination among regional and local actors, including banks, financial markets, institutional investors, fintechs, development institutions, and public authorities, to meet the financing needs of businesses and infrastructure in CEMAC.

Challenges in connecting projects and financing

Owena highlighted that the region has capital and savings that could be directed toward the real economy, but this requires better-prepared projects, stronger companies, appropriate financing instruments, and better risk sharing. She noted that the primary challenge is to create bridges between projects, financial institutions, and investors to mobilize long-term financing for growth and employment.

Obstacles in financial information quality

One of the main obstacles to financing businesses in CEMAC is the availability and quality of financial information, which affects the proper evaluation of company risks, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). While significant progress has been made in credit infrastructure, there is a need to improve the quality, reliability, and effective use of financial data to facilitate better risk assessment by financial institutions.

Leveraging regional savings potential

To mobilize local savings for financing businesses and infrastructure, Owena pointed out that the region has significant savings potential among banks, insurance companies, pension funds, and other institutional investors. The challenge is to convert a larger portion of this savings into long-term financing, which requires viable projects, the development of capital markets, and the use of risk guarantee and sharing mechanisms.

SFI's support for SMEs

The SFI supports SMEs by acting on both the financing offer and the preparation of companies. This includes supporting financial institutions in developing products adapted to SMEs, digitizing credit processes, and using new data sources to better assess risks. The SFI also provides dedicated financing to increase SME loans and works on risk-sharing mechanisms and guarantees to encourage financial institutions to serve more companies.

Capacity-building for SMEs

The SFI also supports capacity-building programs to improve SMEs' financial management, governance, and ability to access financing. In the Central African Republic, nearly 470 SMEs have benefited from financial management support between September 2025 and July 2026, with more than half directed or owned by women.

CEMAC Credit Information Office

The CEMAC Credit Information Office, set up under the Central Bank of the African States (BEAC) with technical partners, is a structural advancement for the region. It contributes to strengthening financial infrastructure for better credit risk assessment. Although it is still too early to draw quantitative conclusions about its impact, its growing strength is expected to improve information sharing between financial institutions and reduce market information asymmetries.

Supporting women entrepreneurs

To facilitate access to credit for women entrepreneurs, Owena emphasized the need to act simultaneously on financial products, guarantees, and support. Financial institutions can develop offers more adapted to the realities of women entrepreneurs and use alternative methods of risk assessment when traditional guarantees are insufficient.

Inclusive financial sector goals

The SFI's priority in the Central African Republic and more broadly in the CEMAC region is to support the development of a more inclusive, innovative, and real economy-oriented financial sector. This includes helping financial institutions better serve SMEs, develop digital financial services, and improve risk assessment tools.

Digitization and future plans

Digitization can reduce distribution costs, bring financial services closer to underserved populations and companies, and expand access to financing beyond traditional banking networks. This action is part of the integrated approach of the World Bank Group.

SFI's implementation strategy

The SFI plans to translate the priorities identified in Bangui into a work program with authorities, financial institutions, and partners. This program will focus on SME access to financing, the digitization of financial services, the use of data, and risk-sharing solutions.

Measuring the success of Bangui discussions

The SFI will contribute to this implementation through targeted investments for SMEs, risk-sharing mechanisms, advisory services, and the ability to mobilize other investors. The SFI is also preparing, with concerned partners, an initiative aimed at promoting the adoption of mobile money and other digital financial services. The success of the Bangui discussions will be measured by the results achieved, including more financing accessible to SMEs, more inclusive financial services, stronger local companies, and more sustainable employment in the Central African Republic and the sub-region.