Table of Contents
Cameroonian banker Paul Fokam, founder of Afriland First Group, met Chadian President Mahamat Deby Itno in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, to discuss opening a new banking subsidiary in N'Djamena, a project the group has pursued for two decades.
Fokam confirms upcoming Chad operations
Fokam, accompanied by Guy Laurent Fondjo, Afriland’s head of development, told reporters after the meeting on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, that the group intends to begin operations in Chad within the coming months. “This has been a long-term plan for us,” Fokam said. “We are ready to take the next step and establish a physical presence in Chad.”
Fondjo added that Afriland First Group has supported the Chadian economy for years despite the lack of a local branch. “We have financed hundreds of millions of dollars in Chad,” he said. “The new subsidiary will strengthen our contribution to economic development in the country.”
Afriland eyes regional banking growth
The move follows Afriland’s approval in October from the Central African Banking Commission (Cobac) to open new branches. The regulator, overseeing six countries in the CEMAC zone, including Chad, granted its first authorizations under a single-license framework designed to simplify cross-border banking.
Alongside Afriland, Moroccan money-transfer firm Wafacash and Morocco’s Bank of Africa also received approvals under the new framework, adopted Dec. 20, 2024. The license allows Afriland First Bank, Cameroon’s largest lender, to expand into Chad, Congo, and CAR. The bank has long backed industrial and infrastructure projects in these markets and has expressed interest in Chad since 2022.
Afriland focuses on digital expansion
Founded in 1987 by Fokam, Afriland First Bank has grown into one of the region’s leading financial institutions, operating 87 branches, 218 ATMs and 386 electronic payment terminals across nine African countries. It now serves more than 705,000 customers and has built a reputation for supporting long-term development projects across the continent.
Afriland keeps improving banking accessibility throughout the region by concentrating on growing digital services. Its expansion and investments demonstrate Fokam's vision of an independent Africa through African-led financial institutions. Afriland reaffirmed its commitment to national development in 2023 by investing $2.7 billion in Cameroon's economy.
