Bank for Commerce and Industry of Mauritania

What Bank for Commerce and Industry of Mauritania does

The Banque pour le Commerce et l'Industrie (BCI SA) is a privately held commercial bank founded in April 1999 in Nouakchott, Mauritania, and operating today as a regional West African banking group across four countries (Mauritania, Mali, Guinea, and Senegal) with 49 branches and approximately 500 employees. The bank's core offering is a full-service retail and commercial banking platform: deposits (savings accounts, term deposits), credit (short-term working capital, medium-term investment credits, structured financing, overdrafts, consumer loans), trade finance (documentary credits, guarantees, customs sureties), and international transfers (SWIFT, Western Union, Ria). It also offers Sharia-compliant financing through Mourabaha contracts and distributes insurance products via partner carriers. The product surface is delivered through a physical branch network complemented by three digital channels: BCI-net (internet banking), BCI-KUNPAN (SMS-based balance alerts for non-smartphone users), and BCI PAY (a mobile wallet launched in January 2024 in partnership with NEXT, available on iOS and Android).

Revenue is generated primarily through net interest income from the credit portfolio, complemented by transaction-based fees and commissions on international transfers, documentary credits, and guarantees, plus margins on Islamic finance contracts and insurance distribution commissions. BCI targets a horizontally diversified customer base across five segments: SMEs (primary), retail individuals, large enterprises, women-led businesses (supported via the AfDB AFAWA program), and youth entrepreneurs (supported via EIB funding with at least 50% earmarked). The bank maintains correspondent banking relationships with 50+ institutions across five continents, with Natixis-Banques Populaires as founding correspondent. The Group has assembled development finance partnerships (BEI €20M+€5M optional in Feb 2024, AfDB €10M credit line in 2021 and $485K technical assistance in 2023, plus Proparco, SID, African Guarantee Fund, and AFREXIMBANK) that fund priority-sector lending at concessional terms. BCI has implemented an Environmental and Social Risk Management System (SGRES) aligned with IFC, World Bank, and AfDB safeguard standards, supporting green lending in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, waste management, and water supply.

Name

Bank for Commerce and Industry of Mauritania

Legal name

Banque pour le Commerce et l'Industrie (BCI SA)

Website

https://bci-banque.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

BCI is a privately held Mauritanian commercial bank operating 49 branches and digital channels across Mauritania, Mali, Guinea, and Senegal, serving SMEs, retail individuals, large enterprises, women, and youth with deposits, credit, trade finance, Islamic finance, and mobile payments.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Banking

NAICS

Commercial Banking (522110)

SIC

State Commercial Banks (6022)

akta.pro primary industry

SME Business Lending (Term Loans, Lines of Credit, Overdrafts) (FSABABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Islamic SME & Commercial Banking (FSABAGAB), SME Trade Finance & Working Capital (LCs, Guarantees, Receivables) (FSABABAF), SME & Business Cross-Border Payments (B2B) (FSAMAIAB)

Keywords

• Commercial banking services
• SME financing
• Trade finance
• Mobile payments
• Islamic finance

Headquarters

HQ city

Nouakchott

HQ country

Mauritania

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Interest Income from Credit Operations: BCI earns interest income through the provision of credit facilities to enterprises and individuals, including short-term credits (working capital, overdrafts, campaign credits), medium-term investment credits, structured financing, and Islamic finance products (Mourabaha). This is the primary revenue stream for a retail/commercial bank.
2. Commission and Fee Income: Fees are charged on international transfer operations (SWIFT), documentary credits (import/export), guarantees, surety bonds, bank guarantees, customs sureties, cheque certification, and other banking services. This constitutes a significant non-interest income stream.
3. Islamic Finance (Mourabaha): BCI offers Sharia-compliant financing through Mourabaha contracts, where the bank purchases goods at cost and resells them to the client at a markup. Revenue is generated through the margin on these sale transactions.
4. Insurance Distribution: BCI distributes insurance products including multi-risk home insurance, health insurance, and group retirement plans through partnerships with insurance companies, earning commission on premiums.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Bank for Commerce and Industry of Mauritania (BCI) is a commercial bank providing a full range of retail and corporate banking services, including savings and term deposits, commercial and consumer credit, trade finance, international transfers, Islamic finance (Mourabaha), and digital payment solutions (BCI PAY mobile wallet). It serves SMEs, large enterprises, and individuals across a network of 49 agencies in Mauritania, Mali, Guinea, and Senegal, supported by 50+ international correspondent banks.

Product overview

The Banque pour le Commerce et l'Industrie (BCI) offers a comprehensive banking platform with a network of 49 agencies across Mauritania (16), Mali (13), Senegal (4), and Guinea (7). The product portfolio centers on traditional banking services including savings and current accounts, term deposits, and various credit products (commercial, equipment, real estate, and consumer loans). Digital banking services include BCI-net (internet banking), BCI-KUNPAN (SMS banking), and BCI PAY mobile payment solution (e-wallet partnered with NEXT). Cross-border services include SWIFT international transfers, Western Union, and Ria money transfers. Trade finance offerings encompass letters of credit, documentary credits, and bank guarantees. The bank also provides Islamic finance products (Mourabaha), insurance products through partners, and investment services including government securities and BRVM-listed instruments. The Group operates with approximately 500 employees serving retail, SME, and corporate clients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BCI Pay: Mobile payment solution launched in partnership with NEXT, offering e-wallet ecosystem for electronic payments, financial inclusion, and digital transition from cash-based transactions.
• BCI-KUNPAN
• IBANKING
• BCI-net

Products and services

• BCI PAY Mobile Payment Solution Mobile payment solution and electronic wallet enabling users to make digital payments, transfer funds, and access financial services without cash. Targets the unbanked population and aims to reduce cash usage, develop e-commerce, and stimulate entrepreneurship in Mauritania. Technology infrastructure provided by partner NEXT.
• BCI-net Internet Banking Online banking platform allowing real-time consultation of operations, statement extraction, check book requests, IBAN extraction, transfers, direct debits, and direct messaging with the bank for individual and business customers.
• BCI-KUNPAN SMS Banking SMS-based alert and balance consultation service enabling customers to receive transaction notifications and check account balances via text messages on basic mobile phones, supporting customers without smartphone or internet access.
• GIM UEMOA Bank Card Bank card operating on the GIM UEMOA network across the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), accepted at ATMs across the region with different withdrawal limits.
• International SWIFT Transfers International payment service using the SWIFT network for fast execution and instant SWIFT availability, enabling transfers worldwide in any currency through a network of first-tier correspondent banks.
• Western Union and Ria Money Transfers International money transfer services through Western Union and Ria networks, available at all BCI branch locations for retail customers to send and receive foreign currency remittances.
• Commercial and Corporate Lending Short-term, medium-term, and long-term commercial loans, credit lines, and overdrafts for business financing. Includes working capital financing, equipment financing, campaign credits, advances on accounts, invoice advances, and campaign/seasonal credits for enterprises.
• Trade Finance Services Letters of credit, documentary credits, bank guarantees, customs guarantees, endorsed drafts, and structured financing services for import/export operations and international trade activities.
• Savings and Term Deposit Accounts Savings accounts with secure capital growth and competitive interest rates available at any time, plus flexible term deposit products with attractive, secure, and negotiable interest rates based on market conditions.
• Retail Consumer Credit Consumer loan products for individual customers including equipment loans, real estate loans, event loans, and emergency loans.
• Islamic Finance (Mourabaha) Sharia-compliant financing product where the bank purchases goods at cash price from a supplier and resells them at a markup to the customer. Includes Mourabaha loans to corporate clients seeking interest-free alternatives.
• Insurance Distribution Distribution of insurance products through partnerships with insurance companies, including multi-risk home insurance, health insurance, collective retirement plans, and career-end compensation insurance for retail and corporate customers.
• Investment and Securities Services Government securities (Treasury bills and bonds of Senegal and other WAEMU countries), BRVM-listed securities (shares and bonds) with advisory services, and collective investment funds (mutual funds) backed by stocks or bonds according to desired risk profile.

Quantifiable outcome

• At least 50% of BEI funds allocated to youth employment, training, and youth-led businesses
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NEXTcoreTechnology or Integration · 9 January 2024BCI partnered with NEXT to launch BCI PAY, a mobile payment solution enabling legal electronic currency transactions and e-wallet services in Mauritania. The partnership aligns with Mauritania's Strategy for Accelerated Growth and Shared Prosperity (SCAPP) 2030, which aims to drive financial emergence and promote electronic payment massification. BCI PAY targets the unbanked population and aims to reduce cash usage, develop e-commerce, and stimulate employment and entrepreneurship in Mauritania and the sub-region.
• World Health Organization (OMS/WHO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWHO collaborated with BCI and the Mauritanian Ministry of Health to validate the country's first integrated national strategy for combating dermatoses (2026–2030), a pioneering initiative at the continental level.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• United Bank for Africa (UBA): Pan-African commercial bank with operations across West Africa including presence in several of BCI's markets; comparable multi-country footprint, correspondent-driven trade finance, and retail/SME digital banking strategy make it a relevant broader incumbent peer.
• Banque Populaire du Maroc: Large Moroccan banking group with West African subsidiaries (including Banque Populaire du Sénégal) operating in BCI's Senegal market; comparable multi-country commercial banking franchise targeting SMEs, retail, and corporate clients with correspondent-driven trade finance.
• Ecobank Transnational Incorporated: Lomé-headquartered pan-African banking group present in 35+ African countries including the WAEMU zone; directly comparable as a multi-country West African commercial bank with correspondent networks, trade finance, and digital banking offerings targeting SMEs and individuals.
• Attijariwafa Bank: Morocco-headquartered pan-African banking group with extensive West and North African branch networks, full commercial and investment banking capabilities; comparable as a regional banking incumbent operating in overlapping African geographies and serving SMEs, corporates, and retail clients.

Direct peers

• Coris Bank International: West African banking group headquartered in Burkina Faso with operations across WAEMU countries including Mali and Senegal; comparable as a regionally expanding commercial bank serving SMEs, corporates, and retail clients with digital and Islamic finance offerings.
• Banque Islamique du Sénégal (BIS): Sharia-compliant commercial bank operating in Senegal, one of BCI's core markets; directly comparable on Islamic finance (Mourabaha/Ijara) and SME/retail banking in the same regulatory jurisdiction, representing a focused competitor on BCI's Islamic finance franchise.
• Orabank (now part of Coris): Togo-headquartered banking group with operations across WAEMU and CEMAC zones including West African markets overlapping BCI's footprint; comparable as a regionally expanding commercial bank targeting SMEs and retail with growing digital and mobile money capabilities.
• Banque Sahélo-Saharienne pour l'Investissement et le Commerce (BSIC): Sub-regional bank founded by Islamic Development Bank shareholders with presence across several West African and Sahelian countries; directly comparable as a multi-country West African commercial bank offering both conventional and Islamic finance products to SMEs and retail customers.
• Banque Commerciale du Sahel (BCS-Mali): Mali-focused commercial bank serving SMEs, corporates, and retail clients in the same WAEMU jurisdiction as BCI's Mali subsidiary; directly comparable on country-level commercial banking, trade finance, and digital channel offerings within BCI's regional footprint.

Regional players

• Société Générale de Banques au Sénégal (SGBS): Senegalese subsidiary of Société Groupe, one of the largest banks operating in BCI's Senegal market; comparable as a commercial bank in the same WAEMU jurisdiction offering SME, corporate, and retail banking including correspondent-driven international trade finance.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BCIBANK

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bank for Commerce and Industry of Mauritania