PAK at the Heart of Africa’s Financial Transformation

Innovation and liberalization at the core of discussions

Held under the theme “Innovation and Liberalization: Drivers of African Capital Market Growth”, ACMF 2024 brought together public decision-makers, private investors, and financial experts.
PAK presented its strategic vision focused on:

• the continuous modernization of its infrastructure,

• and the attraction of investment through public-private partnerships (PPPs).

PAK as a catalyst for regional development

PAK’s presence at this forum reflects its commitment to inclusive growth and to enhancing the role of the private sector in major structural projects.
Mr. Patrice Melom, General Manager of PAK, participated in the panel:
“The Role of Capital Markets in Financing Structural Projects: Focus on the Port Authority of Kribi”.

He emphasized:

• the need for innovative and diversified financing, beyond traditional bank loans;

• the potential of financial markets to mobilize resources from both domestic and international investors;

• the port’s successful experience with partial financing of Phase 2 through a private partner, and the perspectives for Phase 3 and the 1,500-hectare Integrated Industrial Zone of Kribi Port (ZIIPK).

Toward a stock exchange listing

The General Manager confirmed that PAK is considering a stock market listing, with discussions underway with BVMAC. Such an operation would represent a strategic milestone for Central Africa’s financial market and reinforce PAK’s position as a key regional player.

Performance and ambitions

• 2022 turnover: 22.7 billion FCFA

• Net profit: 3.7 billion FCFA

These results demonstrate PAK’s financial strength and capacity to attract investors.
With its strategic projects and the development of a 1,500-hectare industrial and logistics zone, in partnership with Bolloré Africa Logistics, CHEC, Tanger Med, and ICTSI, PAK is asserting itself as a strategic gateway for CEMAC countries, the hinterland, and neighboring Nigeria.

Debate on the privatization of public enterprises

Another highly engaging panel addressed the privatization of public enterprises, highlighting:

• the opportunities for African markets (stimulating investment, increasing liquidity, diversifying portfolios),

• as well as the challenges: lack of transparency, fragile market infrastructure, and potential social impacts.

Experts stressed the need for a solid and transparent legal framework, investor protection mechanisms, and strong corporate governance rules.

👉 One alternative discussed: partial capital opening to the private sector instead of full privatization, allowing public enterprises to benefit from private capital while maintaining state control over strategic and regulatory sectors.

Conclusion

The 2024 ACMF confirmed PAK’s determination to play a central role in mobilizing innovative financing to support infrastructure development and Africa’s industrialization.
With strong performance and ambitious projects, PAK stands out as a catalyst for Africa’s financial transformation and a major logistics hub driving regional growth.