The Lion King Magazine | January - March 2017

Growing the Seed
UBA Cameroun has been
a force to reckon with in
Cameroun, one of Central
Africa’s biggest economies. The
bank was recently recognised
as ‘Bank of the Year 2016’ in
Cameroun by renowned UK
publication, The Banker Magazine.
The bank also recently signed
a landmark agreement with
the Government of Cameroun
to provide a loan of XAF 24.5
billion. The bank has continued
to play a key role in financing
Cameroun’s economy by lending
to key corporates and parastatals,
disbursing about XAF 125 billion
as credit to the economy.
Isong Udom is the game-changer
driving UBA’s operations in
Cameroun. His goals-driven
approach has seen the bank in
Cameroun win several awards
and placed UBA Cameroun as
one of the leading banks in this
unique country. Meet Isong Udom,
MD/CEO, UBA Cameroun.
Congratulations on your recent
outstanding performance. How
have you been able to achieve this,
considering the challenging global
economy?
It is quite heart-warming that despite
the major challenges in the global
economy, Cameroun’s economy
has been relatively resilient and
shown good performance. The
economic and long-standing political
stability have created an enabling
environment for businesses to thrive
successfully.
Thanks also to the dedication and
resilience of our staff as well as the
support and patronage of our valued
clients. Our staff are equipped to
deliver and even surpass expectations.
Service delivery has been top-notch,
thereby, providing customers with the
quality of service they deserve.
Our customers have also been faithful
because they trust us. Not only have
they continued doing business with
us, the majority have also decreased
their wallet share with competition
to our advantage. We have also
succeeded in signing on new clients
who relate to us as strategic partners
to our mutual advantage.
Congratulations again on the feat
achieved by the Indomitable Lions
of Cameroun at the just concluded
Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon. How
can you draw from this victory to
inspire you team to achieve success?
Everything is possible to those that
believe! It is what you think about
yourself as a team that matters
most. The indomitable Lions’ victory
is a classic example of belief, faith,
resilience, hard work, team effort,
focus and determination towards
achieving set goals. Many did not see
them as favourites or even a team that
would lift the highly coveted trophy of
the tournament. However the team
believed in their strengths and came
together pushing forward always and
in the end they were crowned African
champions. In the bank it is the same
story; we are working to be among
the top three banks in the country
and to do that we need to embrace
the qualities of the indomitable lions
and sure we would meet and surpass
our objectives. UBA Cameroun Lions
and Lionesses should then take the
indomitable Lions as model and the
victory will be ours.
Tell us about yourself.
I was born in Nigeria where I had my
Secondary and University Education
before joining the banking profession.
I am married and also a father. My
career in banking has seen me work
in various capacities over the years.
I have attended many professional
courses and training in Nigeria and
abroad. Much of this experience has
helped me to adapt to work in West
and Central Africa. I am passionate
and result-oriented.
What inspires you?
I am inspired each time I see someone
or people working hard to create a
positive, unique change or add value
aimed at making life better for others
or the society at large.
As CEO, what is a typical day in your
life like?
As a CEO my days are usually full,
from when I wake up in the morning
till I retire at night. I usually plan my
days in the mornings. The day is most
of the time focused fully on working
to drive the business of the bank
forward. This will include meeting with
potential and existing customers of the
bank and also working with the staff
of the bank to ensure we serve our
customers better. It is usually hectic
and interesting as events and issues
are not usually similar. Often there are
unplanned events that come along
and make the day more interesting.
What other passions do you have,
beyond banking?
Aside banking, I love to read a wide
range of books. We have a lot to see
in other countries across the world
and I like to travel and meet different
people to understand their way of life,
culture, etc. For now, in my present
role, this is difficult but I find time once
in a while to travel.
How would you describe the
Camerounian Economy?
Unlike the other Central African
Economic and Monetary Community
(CEMAC) countries, Cameroun has a
well diversified economy that exhibits
resilience against the external shocks
related to the drop in oil prices. It is
“the engine of the CEMAC”. In 2016,
according to the World Bank, the real
GDP growth rate stood at 5.6% and is
expected to hover around 5% - 6% over
the next three years. Services account
for 48% of the GDP while Industry
represents 31% and Agriculture 21%.
The inflationary pressures are under
control as the country’s inflation rate
is within the 3%-ceiling set by CEMAC
convergence criteria. Commodities
like oil, cocoa, cotton, timber
represent the major source of the
January - March 2017 • The Lion King • 15