Barrister Bih Epouse Akumah Miranda Muluh, President of Ntarikon Cooperative Credit Union Limited (NtaCCUL), has received international recognition after winning the Global Changemakers Award at the 7th edition of the prestigious ceremony held in Nairobi, Kenya, on November 3, 2026.
The award, presented by Project 100, recognises her contribution to financial management, corporate governance and institutional development, particularly her leadership in steering one of Cameroon's prominent cooperative credit unions through a period of significant growth and transformation.
The recognition comes at a time when NtaCCUL is recording notable progress in membership mobilisation, financial performance, digital innovation and geographical expansion under her leadership.
Figures presented at the credit union's 39th Annual General Meeting in March 2026 highlighted the institution's impressive performance during the 2025 financial year.
NtaCCUL mobilised 13,106 new members in 2025, bringing its total membership to 117,213. The growth further reinforced its position in Cameroon's cooperative microfinance sector.
Members' savings increased from FCFA 56.08 billion in 2024 to FCFA 66.8 billion in 2025, representing an increase of approximately FCFA 10.72 billion. Members' shares also rose from FCFA 3.4 billion to FCFA 3.8 billion.
The institution's lending activities equally reflected its expanding financial capacity, with 102,224 loans granted to members, amounting to FCFA 45.2 billion during the financial year.
In a further demonstration of its commitment to members' financial interests, the credit union announced a six per cent interest rate on savings, representing approximately FCFA 4.5 billion to be paid to members.
Beyond its financial performance, NtaCCUL has continued to invest in technology and expand its geographical footprint.
One of the notable developments has been the introduction of GIMAC cards, which have broadened members' access to financial services and enabled transactions and cash withdrawals through participating banks and financial institutions across the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC).
The initiative complements the institution's mobile banking and USSD services, which are designed to make financial transactions more accessible and convenient.
The credit union has also extended its presence beyond the North West Region. Its Bonamoussadi branch in Douala became operational in February 2026, following the opening of branches in Limbe and Ngaoundéré in 2025.
These developments form part of the institution's broader effort to bring its services closer to members and reach communities beyond its traditional operational base.
On regulatory compliance, NtaCCUL scored 15 out of 16 key prudential norms assessed by the Central African Banking Commission (COBAC), an indication of its progress in meeting important financial and regulatory requirements.
Reacting to the international recognition, Barrister Akumah Miranda expressed humility and gratitude, writing: "Beyond humbled to wear this distinction with honours."
The Global Changemakers Award adds an international dimension to the recognition of her leadership and the institutional progress recorded by NtaCCUL.
The award certificate was signed by His Excellency George Mkondiwa, Chairman of Project 100, a former Malawi ambassador to the United States and High Commissioner to India, and Dominic Iuramba, Director of Global Appeal Agency and Board Member and Director of Communication Regulation in the Republic of Kenya.
For NtaCCUL, the recognition comes against the backdrop of expanding membership, growing savings, increased lending capacity and continued investment in technology and service delivery.
For Barrister Akumah Miranda, it represents an international acknowledgement of her contribution to financial managerial leadership, cooperative governance and institutional development.
