Domestic Banks Gain Market Share in CEMAC Region
Business owners in the region face shifting credit access and risk as domestic banks expand their presence.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Financial Services
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Foreign-controlled institutions accounted for 57.4% of CEMAC banking entities at the end of 2025 as ownership shifted toward domestic players. This trend reflects a broader regional restructuring where domestic private and publicly controlled banks expanded their combined footprint to 23 institutions.
Why it matters
The shift toward domestic control alters the competitive landscape and risk profile for businesses operating within CEMAC, as banks manage high exposure to regional government debt and nonperforming loans. Operators must account for changing credit availability and banking partner stability as regional consolidation continues.
Banking institutions in CEMAC reported a combined net profit of CFA524 billion in 2025, up 16.4% from the prior year. Meanwhile, bank exposure to regional government debt rose 19.9% to reach CFA10,641 billion, alongside a 16% gross nonperforming loan ratio.
The players
COBAC
The Banking Commission of Central Africa serves as the primary regional regulatory authority overseeing banking institution standards and sector stability.
Société Générale
A multinational financial services company based in France that manages extensive retail and corporate banking operations globally.
Access Bank
A large multinational commercial banking entity headquartered in Nigeria that is expanding its presence across African markets.
The details
Ownership transitions were driven by bank sales, mergers, and acquisition activity, such as Société Générale selling its 58.08% stake in its Cameroon subsidiary and Access Bank acquiring Standard Chartered operations. These moves reduced the number of foreign-controlled banks from 38 to 31, while domestic private banks grew from six to ten. This consolidation reshapes the regional financial infrastructure as institutions navigate significant loan quality and sovereign debt concentration risks.
Timeline
2024: Foreign-controlled banks held a 67.9% market share in the region.
July 2025: Société Générale sold its stake in its Cameroon subsidiary.
December 2025: Access Bank completed its acquisition of Standard Chartered operations in Cameroon.
December 31, 2025: The fiscal year ended with 54 operating banks in the CEMAC region.
October 22, 2026: COBAC published its 2025 annual report detailing sector ownership shifts.
Market Landscape
The transition toward domestic control marks a departure from the historical dominance of European-based financial institutions in Central Africa. This shift aligns with broader trends of regional banking consolidation led by growing pan-African groups and local private capital.
Operators should monitor local banking partners for shifting lending criteria as domestic banks account for a larger share of the market. Companies with high capital needs should re-evaluate their banking relationships in light of regional sovereign debt concentration and the 16% nonperforming loan ratio.
The takeaway
The rise of domestic banking control in CEMAC suggests a fundamental change in the regional risk environment that operators must track. Keep a close watch on your current bank's capital structure and exposure to regional government debt as these domestic consolidation trends continue to unfold.
Further reading
For more on evolving financial structures, see the Financial Services section.
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