(Business in Cameroon) - Subscriptions for Cameroon’s 6^th bond ended on May 25 with a total of CFA239 billion, we learn. Initially, the country was seeking to raise CFA200 billion.

According to official data, the State of Cameroon will finally retain CFA235 billion after the CEMAC regulator approved the over-allotment. Investors on the regional market provided CFA238.4 billion to the loan; this is 99.83% of the total subscriptions. France granted CFA4 million while Senegal gave CFA2 million and Togo CFA400 million. The other investors include Gabon (CFA22.5 billion, or 9.42% of the total), Chad (CFA7.5 billion, or 3.14% of the total), Congo (CFA7.2 billion, or 3%), and Equatorial Guinea (CFA5 billion, or 2.09%). Central African investors have subscribed CFA6 million.

Overall, 74.93% of the total amount (CFA179 billion) was subscribed by 18 banks, 20.81% (CFA49.7 billion) by 71 institutional investors, and 4.27% (CFA13.2 billion F) by 330 individuals. Data from the Finance Ministry however show that the operation was mainly supported by local investors, who subscribed 82.1% of the overall amount. That is CFA196.2 billion.

The weight of Cameroonian investors in their government’s 6^th bond issue was predictable. Cameroon is the economic engine of the CEMAC, with the largest network of banks, microfinance and financial institutions, as well as the most diversified economic fabric in the sub-region. As a result, the country is home to a large number of investors who are likely to participate in fundraising operations.

The Cameroonian 2022 bond issue yields 6.25% for a maturity of 7 years, including 2 years of grace.

Brice R. Mbodiam