Regulatory AlertsCameroon: lending & credit regulation
RestrictedStrict banking monopoly; non-bank lending unregulated but legally prohibited
Cameroon is a CEMAC member where the provision of credit is a reserved banking activity. Only licensed credit institutions can lend. Non-bank entities offering consumer or SME credit operate outside the formal regulatory perimeter, effectively making the activity prohibited for unlicensed firms. COBAC regulates banking prudential standards, not fintech lending.
Which licence do you need?
| Your activity | Requirement | Capital | Timeline | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer lending | Prohibited Reserved to licensed banks | — | — | — |
| SME / commercial lending | Prohibited Reserved to licensed banks | — | — | — |
| Microfinance | Uncertainverify with regulator No specific MF law identified | — | — | — |
| Buy-now-pay-later | Prohibited Constitutes lending | — | — | — |
| P2P lending platform | Prohibited Intermediating credit is banking | — | — | — |
| Credit bureau / scoring | Unregulated Data service, not lending | — | — | — |
| Debt collection | Unregulatedverify with regulator No specific regime found | — | — | — |
Market-entry checklist
- 1Secure banking licenseApply to COBAC for a banking license to legally originate credit.
- 2Meet capital requirementsCheck CEMAC Uniform Act for minimum capital for credit institutions.
- 3Register with BEACComply with BEAC liquidity and reporting rules.
- 4Adopt COBAC accountingImplement COBAC R-2018/01 for loan classification and provisioning.
- 5Comply with TEG rulesAdhere to Regulation 04/19 on effective interest rates and usury.
This guide is compiled automatically from 0 primary-source documents published by Cameroon's regulators, reviewed by RegAlert, and refreshed monthly (last updated 2026-07-12). It is not legal advice — always confirm requirements with the regulator or local counsel before acting.