Afrik Créances, a new Regional Financial Institution
The first edition of the International Forum on Intermediation, Digital Technology and Innovation (FONI) opened on Thursday, May 05, 2022 in Lomé, Togo and for two days. As an initiative of AFRIK CREANCES chaired by Blaise Ahouantchédé, former CEO of the WAEMU Interbank Monetary Grouping (GIM–UEMOA) and its partners including SAER Group and Mali Créances, FONI devotes a threefold event focused on the promotion of SMEs/SMIs, banking intermediation: the official launch of AFRIK CREANCES’ activities, the launch of the 1st Regional Single Window and an incentive fund for SMEs and SMIs.
“Discussing the impact of banking/financial intermediation activities and the provision of technological services and payments in the dynamics of financial inclusion and financing the regional private sector” is the main objective of the International Forum on Intermediation, Digital Technology and Innovation, which is holding its first edition. In his welcoming remarks, « this forum is a framework for high-level dialogue and consultation with the various regulatory authorities of the banking, financial, insurance and more particularly telecommunications sectors as well as all actors in the said sectors, » stressed Blaise Ahouantchédé, CEO of Afrik Créances. For him, the Forum will make it possible to anticipate structural and functional changes in industry, as well as the development of new models of financial intermediation adapted to the structure of our economies and the promotion of new forms of financial intermediation based on Fintech while preserving regional financial stability. To this end, the project will focus on debt collection activities, intermediation in banking operations including credit brokerage, asset administration and wealth management, the provision of payment services, digitization & dematerialization, consulting, training, and all other intermediation services. It is a solution that will make it possible to cope with the accelerated changes and convergences of electronic payment systems with a view to a better revitalization of the African economic fabric. Knowing that this fabric is fundamentally based on SMEs/SMIs, much is done to them through the establishment of a Regional Single Window and an incentive fund for SMEs and SMIs, abbreviated as the « GURFI », the first of its kind on the continent. Through this mechanism, Afrik Créances will strive to accelerate the anchoring of SMEs/SMIs, an essential link in the continent’s economy.
About Afrik Creances
As a unique platform for innovative services, AFRIK CREANCES intends to be a key player in the development of inclusive banking and financial services in Africa and support for SMEs/SMIs. AFRIK CREANCES operates alongside the Banks for their accounts through specific mandates in order to expand their banking and financial offers for the benefit of customers. Public and private administration, banks, financial institutions, microfinance institutions, individuals, students, craftsmen, traders, very small enterprises and industries (VSEs/VSIs), small and medium-sized enterprises and industries (SMEs/SMIs), women entrepreneurs, etc.) are the main actors targeted. Its mission is to promote financial inclusion and banking, build a regional model of banking and non-banking intermediation, offer a wide range of innovative solutions, products and services by building an ecosystem of technological platforms.
