News Finances

Vista Bank Group in Discussions for Shareholder Position at ACEP Cameroon

Vista Bank Group in Discussions for Shareholder Position at ACEP Cameroon
Friday, 31 October 2025 03:35
  • Vista Bank is in advanced talks to acquire a 33% stake in ACEP Cameroon, a key step for entering the CEMAC financial market ecosystem.
  • Finalizing the acquisition, which would establish Vista Bank as a major shareholder, is contingent upon a definitive agreement and full regulatory clearance.
  • ACEP, a leading microfinance body in Cameroon, faced increased credit defaults in 2023, cutting net profit amidst a fragile economic recovery.

Vista Bank has reportedly become the sole remaining contender for the acquisition of ACEP Group’s African subsidiaries, at least in the case of Cameroon. Announced in March 2025 by Financial Afrik as one of several potential buyers, the bank is now said to be engaged in “advanced” talks to acquire the shares held in ACEP Cameroon.

According to the information memorandum for ACEP Cameroon’s 2024-2027 bond issue, the transaction concerns some 50,400 shares — equivalent to 33% of the microfinance company’s equity. These shares have been jointly owned since 2011 by Investisseurs & Partenaires and ACEP International, both of which are among the three main shareholders of the ACEP Group. Sources close to the negotiations, who requested anonymity, indicate that while discussions are progressing, completion remains pending.

A final agreement must first be signed, followed by regulatory clearance from all relevant authorities. Should the deal go through, Vista Bank would secure a long-sought foothold in the CEMAC region’s financial system, becoming the principal shareholder of one of Cameroon’s largest microfinance institutions. A previous effort in 2023 to acquire Société Générale’s operations in Equatorial Guinea and Congo-Brazzaville was thwarted when the two governments exercised pre-emption rights.

If successful, Vista Bank would join ACEP Cameroon’s shareholding alongside other major investors. These include Morocco’s Banque Centrale Populaire (BCP), which acquired its stake in 2019 through the purchase of France’s Banque Centrale Populaire’s shares in the Banque Internationale du Cameroun pour l’Épargne et le Crédit (BICEC). BCP held 27% of ACEP Cameroon’s capital as of 30 September 2024. Other shareholders comprise the state-owned Société Nationale d’Investissements (SNI, 20%), the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Crafts (10%), minority investors (11%), and a staff association (4%).

ACEP Cameroon: a key player under pressure

ACEP Cameroon is among the country’s leading microfinance institutions, offering a full range of financial services — deposits, credit and digital payments — through a network of 26 branches between 2021 and 2023. The institution reported more than 37,000 loans disbursed and aims to surpass 50,000 by the end of 2024. In value terms, total lending reached CFAF 42.7 billion in 2023, according to the latest available data.

Despite this strong operational base, profitability weakened in 2023 owing to higher credit defaults amid a challenging economic environment. While conditions are stabilising, recovery remains fragile and pressure on small and medium-sized enterprises persists. ACEP will therefore need to restore earnings growth in 2024 and 2025.

Another question under discussion concerns the future of technical assistance. It is unclear whether ACEP International will retain this role following a potential change in ownership. With two pan-African banking groups — BCP and Vista Bank — among its main shareholders, strategic debates over governance, regional expansion, and operational priorities are likely to be vigorous.

Idriss Linge

On the same topic
Togo plans 25 billion CFA francs debt issuance on March 20 Sale includes 364-day bills and three-, five-year bonds Funds will help finance 2.751...
Cameroon plans CFA82 billion additional tranche after oversubscribed Eurobond Initial $750 million issuance attracted nearly $1 billion...
Visa and Afriland First Bank signed a strategic agreement to expand electronic payments in Cameroon. The partnership aims to support financial...
Togo parliament adopts WAEMU law against currency counterfeiting Bill defines offences including reproduction, possession and circulation of fake...
Most Read
01

Ethio Telecom has signed a new agreement with Ericsson to expand and modernize its telecom netwo...

Ethiopia’s State-Owned Telco Teams Up With Ericsson to Expand and Upgrade Its Network
02

The BCEAO cut its main policy rate by 25 basis points to 3.00%, effective March 16. Inflation...

BCEAO Cuts Key Rate to 3.00% as WAEMU Faces Deflation
03

EIB commits over €1 billion for renewable energy in sub-Saharan Africa Funding supports Miss...

EIB Commits €1 Billion to Renewable Energy Under Africa’s “Mission 300” Initiative
04

Senegal launches 200 billion CFA bond in UEMOA Proceeds to fund 2026 budget, transformation agend...

Senegal Launches $360 Million Regional Bond Sale
05

MTN Zambia tests Starlink satellite service connecting phones directly from space Direct-to...

Satellite direct-to-device telecoms: promise, momentum and hard limits
Enter your email to receive our newsletter

Ecofin Agency provides daily coverage of nine key African economic sectors: public management, finance, telecoms, agribusiness, mining, energy, transport, communication, and education.
It also designs and manages specialized media, both online and print, for African institutions and publishers.

SALES & ADVERTISING

regie@agenceecofin.com 
Tél: +41 22 301 96 11 
Mob: +41 78 699 13 72


EDITORIAL
redaction@agenceecofin.com

More information
Team
Publisher

ECOFIN AGENCY

Mediamania Sarl
Rue du Léman, 6
1201 Geneva
Switzerland

 

Ecofin Agency is a sector-focused economic news agency, founded in December 2010. Its web platform was launched in June 2011. ©Mediamania.

 
 

Please publish modules in offcanvas position.