Douala Convention: Advocates For CEMAC Capital Markets Financing

• The First Diamond Capital Convention in Douala concluded on September 25, advocating for enhanced capital market utilization in Central Africa.
• Organized by Almasi Capital & Advisory, the three-day event drew nearly 3,000 participants.
• Key recommendations included stronger financial education, more diverse investment products, and improved legal and operational security.
• By the end of 2025, the Central African Stock Exchange (BVMAC) had six listed companies and an equity market capitalization of CFAF 477.75 billion.
• BGFI Holding Corporation became the seventh company listed on BVMAC in May 2026, signaling market expansion.

Legal professionals advising companies operating or seeking to invest in the CEMAC region's financial sector should closely monitor legislative and regulatory reforms aimed at expanding capital market access and product offerings.

The inaugural Diamond Capital Convention, held in Douala from September 23 to 25, concluded with a unified call from financial market operators for significant enhancements to Central Africa's economic landscape. Organized by Almasi Capital & Advisory, the three-day event attracted nearly 3,000 participants, according to the organizers' figures. A primary outcome of the Douala Convention was the strong advocacy for increased utilization of capital markets as a vital mechanism for financing businesses and economies across the CEMAC region, highlighting the critical role these markets must play in regional development.

Discussions during the convention focused on several critical areas deemed essential for robust market development and the realization of the CEMAC financial market expansion. These included the imperative for stronger financial education among the populace to create an informed investor base, the need to introduce a wider array of investment products to attract and retain capital, and strategies to ensure both legal and operational security within financial markets. A key objective consistently highlighted was the efficient channeling of domestic savings into productive investments, thereby fostering sustainable economic growth and reducing reliance on traditional bank financing.

The convention's recommendations arrive at a pivotal moment for the Central African financial market, which, despite showing signs of expansion, continues to grapple with a limited number of publicly listed entities. Data from a CEMAC report, cited by Cameroon’s Ministry of Economy, illustrates this reality. By the close of 2025, the Central African Stock Exchange (BVMAC), headquartered in Douala, reported only six listed companies.

At that time, the BVMAC's equity market capitalization stood at CFAF 477.75 billion, with a free-float capitalization recorded at CFAF 69.57 billion. A notable development occurred in May 2026, when BGFI Holding Corporation became the seventh company to list on the Douala-based exchange. This addition marked a significant shift in the market's composition and signaled a step towards the desired CEMAC financial market expansion.

The collective voice from the Douala Convention underscores a strategic imperative to leverage capital markets more effectively for financing Central Africa's economic ambitions. The emphasis on CEMAC financial education is crucial for fostering an informed and engaged investor base, while the demand for more diverse investment products aims to broaden participation and deepen market liquidity, making the market more attractive to various types of investors. Enhancing legal and operational security is fundamental to building investor confidence and attracting both local and international capital, ensuring a stable and predictable environment for market activities.

Legal professionals advising companies operating or seeking to invest in the CEMAC region's financial sector should closely monitor legislative and regulatory reforms aimed at expanding capital market access and product offerings. This initiative signals potential new avenues for corporate financing and increased compliance obligations related to market participation and financial education. The ongoing efforts to channel savings into productive investment, as discussed at the convention, are central to the region's long-term economic development and the realization of its capital markets potential, promising a more dynamic financial ecosystem.

Legal professionals advising companies operating or seeking to invest in the CEMAC region's financial sector should closely monitor legislative and regulatory reforms aimed at expanding capital market access and product offerings. This initiative signals potential new avenues for corporate financing and increased compliance obligations related to market participation and financial education.

Source: Reporting based on convention findings and market data.