(Business in Cameroon) - The general management of Ecobank Cameroon announced in a press release that in 2017, the company is focusing on digital channels to boost the financial inclusion currently estimated at 20% in the country, for a population of over 20 million people.

To exceed the rate of access to banking services of 20%, Ecobank indicates that it will capitalise on digital services such as “Ecoank Mobile App”, internet banking for private and corporate customers, the use of bar codes for payments, and banking partnerships with third parties. “The digital strategy in question directly promotes one of the main development factors of our economies, which is, financial and economic inclusion of the population. Ecobank will thus be able to reach and serve a greater number of clients in Cameroon, including those who do not have any bank account”, the bank explains.

Already in 2016, the banking group highlighted, the digital transformation enabled the company to consolidate its growth in 2016 with an increase of 23% in the earnings before tax (FCfa 13.840 billion) compared to 2015, and a rise in the equity yield ratio at 50%. In Cameroon, as in Africa in general, Ecobank is even considering merging a number of branches for a better digital optimisation. The objective of the Pan African group is to serve 100 million clients by 2020 against the current 11 million.

S.A