(Business in Cameroon) - In an interview with Ecofin Agency, Jean-Pierre Levayer, executive director of BPCE International, summarized his group’s activities in Africa. During the interview, he also revealed that his group is looking for a partner to develop the activities of the Group’s subsidiaries in Tunisia, Cameroon, Congo, Madagascar, and Mauritius.

Ecofin Agency: It’s been one year since you became the executive director of BPCE International; how would you summarize what has been done since then?

Jean-Pierre Levayer: During the past year, we have conducted a strategic review of the international retail banking business; we conducted an in-depth analysis of our banks and their development perspectives.

We were reassured by the results of these analyses in of our subsidiaries in Africa and the Indian Ocean. We have professional teams and our subsidiaries are renowned in the countries they are operating in. Our model of development which combines a clientele of local and international companies with average and VIP customers works well and, it is welcomed by local actors.  Even if the economic environment in countries we operate in can be difficult, even if there can be negative occurrences along the way, we are sure of our results.

EA: how does BPCE International plan to expand in Africa?

JPL: We concluded that our banks are fully acknowledged in Africa. Their economic model is viable in the medium term. 

However, beyond this, we also concluded that to develop in Africa, banks would benefit more from having an experienced partner, a partner which has a better knowledge of the social fabric, a good reputation and is much trusted. This to develop a more ambitious, competitive and conquering industrial project and be closer to customers.  

After a close examination of the results of our strategic review, the supervisory board of BPCE International has decided to look for a financial and industrial partner that will help it expand the activities of these banks in Africa.

EA: which type of partner (s)?

JPL: We will review all our partnership options but, we will prefer a partner with whom we can have a sustainable and quality relationship, as it is the pre-requisite for the successful economic development of the clients and collaborators of our banks: BTK in Tunisia, BICEC in Cameroon, BCI in Congo, BMOI in Madagascar and Banque des Mascareignes in Mauricia.

I know that in Africa, trust is built overtime so, we need a partner which has a thorough knowledge of the African environment and which has a development project for Africa.

The development project of the banks with this partner must fall in line with that of most major banks: combine the quality of customer care with major investments in modern technologies, digital mainly, to better serve clients.