African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and FCI concluded a two-day conference in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, to promote factoring and receivables finance in the Central Africa region.
The event attracted about 250 participants from 15 countries in finance, legal and business sectors, as well as government, regulators and policy makers.
Organised by Afreximbank and FCI in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Congo, the National Directorate of the Bank of Central African States (BEAC) and Banque Postale du Congo, the Central Africa Regional Promotion conference on Factoring and Receivables Finance was opened by Mr. Rigobert Roger Andely, Minister of Finance, Budget and Public Portfolio of the Republic of Congo, alongside Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Managing Director of Afreximbank’s Intra-African Trade Initiative and Chairperson of the Africa Chapter of FCI, and Mr. Peter Mulroy, Secretary General of FCI.
They were joined by Mrs. Ingrid Ebouka Babackas, Minister for Planning, Mr. Panzou Bayone, Deputy National Director of the Central Bank of Central African States (BEAC), Mr. Calixte Tabangoli, CEO of Banque Postale du Congo, among others.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Rigobert Roger Andely, highlighted the importance of factoring in supporting the growth of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and creating jobs in the Congolese economy.
He stated that the promulgation of two new laws on factoring and leasing was a testament to the government’s commitment to support SMEs. The promulgation of the laws was envisioned by the President of the Republic of Congo, His Excellency, Denis Sassou Nguesso to facilitate access to finance by SMEs.
Mr. Andely called on the judicial system to ensure utmost diligence in adjudicating any disputes and on the Central Bank to undertake the necessary reforms in terms of quality of information and centralization of information on credit to support the growth of factoring. He also stressed the need for capacity building and continuous stakeholder engagement for businesses to take full advantage of the product.
In her opening remarks, Mrs. Kanayo Awani conveyed the commendations of the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, Professor Oramah to the Government of the Republic of Congo for the visionary leadership in recognizing the need to support and integrate SMEs into the regional and continental value chains through factoring.
This will ensure that they maximize the opportunities created under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Mrs. Awani reiterated Afreximbank’s commitment in promoting factoring as it provides alternative financing to SMEs who are the bedrock of economic growth in Africa and a critical piece to the realization of the aspirations and ambitions of Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want.
“To accelerate the growth of factoring in Africa to reach €50 billion by 2025 as projected by FCI, we believe that one of the critical success factors for unleashing the power of a thriving factoring industry in Africa is the promulgation of a factoring law that creates a conducive legal and regulatory environment for factoring to thrive,” said
Mrs. Awani. “Afreximbank stands ready to provide the requisite support, including the technical capacity needed for the design and development of a factoring law in other CEMAC countries and Africa as a whole, while also supporting its practical implementation in the Republic of Congo.”
Also speaking, Mr. Peter Mulroy, Secretary General of FCI said that the Republic of Congo’s recent adoption of a Factoring Law marks a new era for the Central Africa Region.
“I am confident that with the passage of the new factoring law, factoring will take root and bloom throughout the region. The Republic of Congo is a trailblazer, being only the second country in Central Africa after Cameroon in 2014”.
