CCA Bank (Crédit Communautaire d'Afrique)
A Cameroonian banking institution that developed from a cooperative savings and credit organization into a universal commercial bank.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
CCA Bank, formally Crédit Communautaire d'Afrique Bank, is a Cameroonian financial institution headquartered in Douala. The bank traces its origins to July 1997, when it was established in Bafoussam as a cooperative savings and credit organization. It began operating in 1998 under Cameroon’s cooperative framework and subsequently developed into a regulated microfinance institution before becoming a commercial bank. The institution received a category-II microfinance authorization from the Central African Banking Commission, commonly known by its French acronym COBAC, in 2001. In 2006, it changed its legal form to a société anonyme and increased its share capital to CFA 2 billion. Further capitalization supported geographic expansion, with reported capital reaching CFA 5 billion by 2010 and the branch network expanding to 42 locations across Cameroon. A major turning point came on 30 May 2018, when CCA-Bank received authorization to operate as a universal bank. This made it the fifteenth commercial bank licensed in Cameroon by the regional banking authorities. The transition broadened its business from microfinance and cooperative lending into a full range of banking services for individuals, small and medium-sized enterprises, corporations, institutions, and public-sector clients. CCA Bank’s offering includes deposit accounts, lending, payments, transfers, and other services associated with retail and commercial banking. It has also developed electronic channels, including SMS and internet banking, as part of its efforts to improve access and convenience. Financial inclusion remains a central part of its public positioning, with initiatives directed toward women entrepreneurs, young people, small businesses, and customers historically underserved by formal banking. The bank has pursued partnerships to increase its capacity to lend to small and medium-sized enterprises. In June 2023, it entered into a financing arrangement with the International Finance Corporation, a World Bank Group member, involving CFA 10 billion in funding. The arrangement included a requirement that at least one quarter of the financing benefit businesses owned or led by women. In April 2025, the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector announced a €15 million disbursement to support small and medium-sized enterprises and the expansion of CCA Bank’s Islamic finance activities. CCA Bank launched its Islamic finance offering under the CCA-Bank Islamic Finance label in early 2022. On 20 March 2025, COBAC granted partial authorization for the activity, including the operation of a dedicated Islamic finance window and the opening of specialized branches in Yaoundé and Douala. This initiative expanded the bank’s product scope while responding to demand for financial services structured according to Islamic finance principles. Albert Nkemla founded the institution and guided its development from a cooperative and microfinance organization into a universal bank. In April 2023, Marguerite Fonkwen Atanga was appointed managing director and chief executive officer, becoming one of the few women to lead a bank in the CEMAC region. The bank has also emphasized governance reforms; in 2009, the positions of board chair and managing director were separated. CCA Bank remains focused on the Cameroonian market, combining conventional retail and business banking with digital services, inclusion programs, and Islamic finance.
History
CCA Bank was founded in July 1997 in Bafoussam, Cameroon, as a cooperative savings and credit organization. It began operations in 1998 under the country’s cooperative legal framework. The original model emphasized mobilizing savings and extending credit to members and local customers who had limited access to conventional banking. In 2001, the institution obtained a category-II microfinance authorization from COBAC, the regional banking supervisor for the Central African monetary and banking system. This regulatory step enabled it to operate on a more formal microfinance basis while continuing to build its customer base and lending capacity. The organization changed its legal form in 2006, becoming a société anonyme. At that point its share capital was raised to CFA 2 billion. Continued capitalization and operational growth helped it move beyond its original cooperative identity. By 2010, reported capital had reached CFA 5 billion, and the institution had expanded to 42 branches across Cameroon. The decisive institutional transformation occurred on 30 May 2018, when CCA-Bank received authorization to operate as a universal bank. It thereby became Cameroon’s fifteenth commercial bank licensed by the regional banking authorities. The new status allowed it to provide a broader range of services to individuals, SMEs, companies, organizations, and public entities. Its business subsequently combined traditional deposits and lending with payment services, transfers, and digital channels such as SMS and internet banking. Governance also evolved as the institution grew. In 2009, CCA Bank separated the roles of chair of the board and managing director, a change intended to clarify oversight and executive responsibility. Albert Nkemla, the founder, remained central to the bank’s development from cooperative finance and microfinance into commercial banking. In April 2023, Marguerite Fonkwen Atanga was appointed managing director and chief executive officer. CCA Bank has presented financial inclusion as an important component of its strategy. Its activities include programs for women customers and entrepreneurs, SME finance, youth-oriented initiatives, and digital access. In June 2023, a partnership with the International Finance Corporation provided CFA 10 billion for SME lending. The arrangement included a gender-inclusion condition requiring at least 25% of the funds to reach businesses owned or led by women. The bank also expanded into Islamic finance. It introduced CCA-Bank Islamic Finance in early 2022 and later obtained partial COBAC authorization on 20 March 2025 for dedicated Islamic finance operations. The authorization supported specialized branches in Yaoundé and Douala. In April 2025, the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector disbursed €15 million to assist SME financing and the development of the Islamic finance window. CCA Bank’s present identity is therefore the result of several stages: cooperative savings and credit, regulated microfinance, a share-capitalized public company, and finally a universal commercial bank. Its operating focus remains Cameroon, with a portfolio spanning retail, SME, corporate, institutional, digital, inclusion-oriented, and Islamic finance services.
- 2025
Islamic finance authorization and ICD funding
[1]COBAC granted partial authorization for dedicated Islamic finance operations, and ICD provided €15 million for SME and Islamic finance development.
- 2023
Leadership transition and IFC SME facility
[1]Marguerite Fonkwen Atanga became managing director and CEO, while an IFC partnership arranged CFA 10 billion for SME lending.
- 2022
Islamic finance offering introduced
[1]CCA Bank launched its Islamic finance services under the CCA-Bank Islamic Finance label.
- 2018
Universal bank license granted
[1]On 30 May, CCA-Bank received authorization to operate as a universal commercial bank and became Cameroon’s fifteenth commercial bank.
- 2010
Capital and branch expansion
[1]Reported capital reached CFA 5 billion and the network expanded to 42 branches in Cameroon.
- 2009
Board and executive roles separated
[1]CCA Bank separated the chair of the board and managing director functions as part of a governance development.
- 2006
Conversion to a société anonyme
[1]The organization became a public limited company and increased its share capital to CFA 2 billion.
- 2001
Category-II microfinance authorization
[1]CCA received authorization from COBAC to operate as a category-II microfinance institution.
- 1998
Operations begin
[1]The institution began operating under Cameroon’s cooperative legal framework.
- 1997
Institution founded in Bafoussam
[1]Crédit Communautaire d’Afrique was established in July as a cooperative savings and credit organization.
Products and positioning
A Cameroon-focused universal bank combining retail, SME, corporate, institutional, digital, financial-inclusion, and Islamic finance services.
Personal banking
Retail banking
CCA Bank serves individual customers through account, savings, payment, transfer, and lending services. Its retail proposition reflects the institution’s origins in cooperative and microfinance activity while operating within the broader framework of a universal commercial bank.
Business banking
SME banking and finance
The bank provides financing and banking services to small and medium-sized enterprises. Its SME focus has been reinforced by external financing partnerships, including the 2023 IFC facility intended to expand credit access for Cameroonian businesses and increase financing for women-owned or women-led enterprises.
Commercial banking · 2018
Corporate and institutional banking
Following its universal banking authorization, CCA Bank expanded its service base to corporations, organizations, institutions, and public entities. The offering includes business accounts, lending, payments, and related banking services, although the available reference material does not provide a detailed product catalogue.
Digital banking
SMS and internet banking
CCA Bank has introduced digital access channels including SMS banking and internet banking. These services support account access and routine transactions while extending the bank’s reach beyond physical branches.
Islamic finance · 2022
CCA-Bank Islamic Finance
Introduced in early 2022, CCA-Bank Islamic Finance is the institution’s dedicated Islamic finance offering. COBAC granted partial authorization for the activity in March 2025, supporting specialized operations and branches in Yaoundé and Douala.
Marketing campaigns
- Women Banking Program
Cameroon
A financial-inclusion initiative focused on women customers and entrepreneurs, consistent with CCA Bank’s stated emphasis on gender equity and access to finance.
- Youth empowerment and Cameroon Leadership Academy support
Cameroon
CCA Bank has supported youth empowerment and leadership initiatives, including sponsorship connected with the Cameroon Leadership Academy.
Brand decisions
2025
Expand regulated Islamic finance operationsStrategyBackground
The bank sought to move its Islamic finance offering from a product initiative toward a more formal and dedicated operating model.
Action taken
COBAC granted partial authorization for Islamic finance activities and allowed specialized branches in Yaoundé and Douala.
Aftermath
The authorization created a regulatory basis for further development of CCA Bank’s Islamic finance window.
2023
Secure IFC financing for SMEsOtherBackground
CCA Bank aimed to increase lending capacity for small and medium-sized enterprises and improve access to finance for women-owned and women-led businesses.
Action taken
The bank entered into a CFA 10 billion financing arrangement with the International Finance Corporation.
Aftermath
The facility was intended to expand SME credit in Cameroon, with at least 25% earmarked for businesses owned or led by women.
Financing facility. CFA 10 billion (June 2023)
2022
Launch CCA-Bank Islamic FinanceProduct launchBackground
CCA Bank sought to extend its product range and address demand for financial services structured according to Islamic finance principles.
Action taken
The bank introduced an Islamic finance offering under the CCA-Bank Islamic Finance label.
Aftermath
The offering was subsequently supported by partial regulatory authorization and specialized branches.
2018
Enter universal commercial bankingStrategyBackground
After developing as a regulated microfinance institution and expanding its capital and branch network, CCA sought to broaden its financial services.
Action taken
On 30 May, the bank obtained authorization to operate as a universal bank.
Aftermath
CCA-Bank became Cameroon’s fifteenth commercial bank and expanded its target customers to include individuals, SMEs, corporations, institutions, and public entities.
2006
Convert the cooperative institution into a société anonymeStrategyBackground
CCA Bank needed a larger and more formal corporate structure to support capitalization and expansion beyond its cooperative and microfinance origins.
Action taken
The institution changed its legal form to a société anonyme and raised capital to CFA 2 billion.
Aftermath
The conversion established a platform for subsequent capital growth and nationwide branch expansion.
Share capital. CFA 2 billion (2006)
Recent events
CCA Bank deploys FSS ATM monitoring solution[3]
Reported:
CCA Bank deployed FSS’s ATM monitoring solution to manage its ATM network in real time.
Sources3 sources
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