Afriland First Bank Capital Increase Cameroon: Reaches FCFA 110 Billion

• Afriland First Bank increased its social capital by FCFA 60 billion, reaching FCFA 110 billion.
• The capital increase was achieved by incorporating reserves, validated by Cobac capital increase approval, without new external investors.
• This move aims to strengthen the bank's leadership, international credibility, and digital expansion in Cameroon and Central Africa.
• The bank reported a total balance sheet of FCFA 2,250 billion and customer deposits of FCFA 1,950 billion as of December 31, 2025.
• This capital boost is a key component of the bank's "First Bank Horizon 2030" strategic plan.

This enhanced capital base is expected to facilitate greater economic financing, improve the bank's capacity for risk absorption, and strengthen its prudential ratios.

Afriland First Bank has significantly increased its social capital from FCFA 50 billion to FCFA 110 billion, marking an expansion of FCFA 60 billion. This strategic move, announced on Friday, November 6, 2026, by the bank's board of directors and general management, was executed through the incorporation of existing reserves.

The process received validation from the Banking Commission of Central Africa (COBAC), signifying a conversion of a portion of the bank's accumulated profits into core capital, without the need for external investment.

The approval by COBAC underscores the regulatory endorsement of Afriland First Bank's financial health and its method of capital enhancement. This internal financing approach reflects the institution's strong performance, which is evident in its financial statements as of December 31, 2025.

At that time, the bank reported a total balance sheet of FCFA 2,250 billion, alongside customer deposits amounting to FCFA 1,950 billion. Its global credit outstanding stood at FCFA 1,667 billion, with private enterprise financing exceeding FCFA 1,200 billion. These figures illustrate the solid foundation upon which the capital increase was built, contributing to Cameroon banking sector stability.

The substantial capital injection is designed to achieve several critical strategic objectives for Afriland First Bank. Primarily, it aims to reinforce the group's banking leadership within Cameroon and across Central Africa, while simultaneously consolidating its international credibility and supporting its digital expansion initiatives.

This enhanced capital base is expected to facilitate greater economic financing, improve the bank's capacity for risk absorption, and strengthen its prudential ratios. It also serves to boost confidence among international partners and enables the bank to support larger-scale projects across its extensive operational footprint, which includes Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea Conakry, South Sudan, Liberia, Sao Tomé and Principe, with branches in Central African Republic, Chad, Congo Brazzaville, and offices in Paris and Beijing.

This Afriland First Bank FCFA 110 billion capital increase represents a pivotal step in Afriland First Bank's long-term strategic plan, known as "First Bank Horizon 2030." The initiative seeks to transform the banking group into a deeply digitally integrated entity, offering significantly improved services and fostering stronger growth in both the number and scope of clients it serves.

Jean Paulin FONKOUA, Chairman of the Board of Directors, highlighted that the founders' original vision in 1987 was to establish a bank that would champion the financing ambitions of the Cameroonian and African economies. He affirmed that the successful capital increase, achieved through the bank's own resources nearly 40 years later, stands as a testament to the enduring relevance of that vision and the robustness of the model developed over decades.

Lawyers advising financial institutions or businesses seeking financing in Cameroon should note Afriland First Bank's significant capital increase, which enhances its capacity for lending and risk absorption. This development signals increased financial stability and potential for larger project financing, impacting due diligence for loan applications and regulatory compliance assessments for financial sector participants.

Source: Original reporting via Actu Cameroun