Afriland First Bank Côte D'ivoire

What Afriland First Bank Côte D'ivoire does

Afriland First Bank Côte d'Ivoire is a private commercial bank operating in Côte d'Ivoire under a BCEAO banking license and is a subsidiary of the Cameroon-headquartered Afriland First Group, which maintains a presence in 12+ countries across Africa, China, and France. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in the Abidjan Plateau district, the bank provides a full suite of retail, SME, corporate, and institutional banking services through 17+ physical branches distributed across Côte d'Ivoire — 11 in Abidjan (Adjame, Marcory, Cocody, Yopougon, Abobo, Treichville, Port Bouet, Djibi, Anono, Plateau, and Yopougon Zone Industrielle), five interior-city branches (Bouaké, Daloa, Abengourou, San Pedro, Korhogo), and three cash points (Belleville, Bettie, Bongo). Its served customers span individual consumers, MPME/mid-market firms, large corporates, NGOs and cooperatives, government and public-sector entities, and non-resident institutions such as embassies.

The bank's product portfolio covers current, savings, foreign-currency, special-deposit, and Islamic deposit accounts; consumer, real estate, school (Cresco), and auto credit; Mastercard-branded debit cards (First Gold, First Platinum, First Prepaid) and GIM-UEMOA Essika cards; money-transfer services via MoneyGram, Western Union, and Flash Transfer; corporate term deposits, financial engineering, trade finance (documentary credits, standby letters of credit), and signature, medium- and long-term credit facilities. The digital layer consists of the SARA mobile banking application (iOS/Android), an internet banking platform at ebanking.afrilandfirstbankci.com, SMS-First for feature-phone and non-internet users, and the MAC (Mobile Account Connection) service for instant Bank-to-Wallet and Wallet-to-Bank transfers with Orange Money and WAVE. The bank is PCI DSS certified, a member of GIM-UEMOA for interbank card acceptance across the WAEMU region, and operates under BCEAO regulatory oversight.

Revenue is generated primarily through net interest income on consumer, mortgage, auto, school, and corporate credit facilities (loan rates 7–10%), plus transaction and account-maintenance fees, card-issuance and usage fees, foreign-exchange spreads on non-resident accounts, and partnership revenues from money-transfer services. The go-to-market is relationship-based and multi-channel: sales-led retail/SME branch banking combined with enterprise field sales for project finance and corporate accounts, supported by event-driven lead generation at industry forums such as the Africa Banking Forum and SEIP. Recent strategic momentum includes the 2023 launch of Mastercard cards, the SARA app, and the MAC service; branch openings in Bouaké and Yopougon Zone Industrielle (2024–2026); and the May 2026 BIDC 10 billion FCFA SME financing facility aimed at health, education, agro-industry, manufacturing, commerce, construction, services, and technology sectors.

Name

Afriland First Bank Côte D'ivoire

Legal name

Afriland First Bank Côte d'Ivoire

Website

https://afrilandfirstbankci.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Afriland First Bank Côte d'Ivoire is a BCEAO-licensed commercial bank serving individuals, SMEs, corporates, and institutions through 17+ branches and digital channels (SARA app, SMS, MAC). A subsidiary of Afriland First Group, it offers lending, deposits, cards, and trade finance.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Banking

NAICS

Commercial Banking (52211), Savings Institutions and Other Depository Credit Intermediation (522180)

SIC

National Commercial Banks (6021)

akta.pro primary industry

SME Deposits & Business Accounts (Operating, Savings, CDs) (FSABABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Digital Account Opening & Onboarding (eKYC, eSignature, Origination) (FSAGAAAB), A2A Collections & Direct Account Funding (FSAMAFAH)

Keywords

• Retail banking services
• Commercial banking products
• SME financing solutions
• Mobile money integration
• International money transfer

Headquarters

HQ city

Abidjan

Offices20 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Interest Income: The bank earns interest income from lending activities including consumer loans, mortgage loans, auto loans, business loans, and credit facilities for enterprises.
2. Transaction and Account Fees: Fees from account maintenance, transfers, card transactions, and other banking operations. Special deposit account costs 1,000 FCFA/month.
3. Card Services: Revenue from issuance and usage of debit cards including Mastercard (First Gold, First Platinum, First Prepaid) and GIM-UEMOA cards (Essika).
4. Foreign Exchange Services: Fees and spreads from currency exchange and management services for non-resident accounts in foreign currencies.
5. Money Transfer Services: Partnership revenues from MoneyGram, Western Union, and Flash Transfer services for international and domestic money transfers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Afriland First Bank Côte d'Ivoire is a commercial bank delivering retail banking (current and savings accounts, consumer loans, debit/prepaid cards, money transfers), corporate banking (business accounts, trade finance, working capital and term credit, financial engineering), and institutional banking (treasury management, foreign exchange, project financing). It supplements its physical branch network of 17+ outlets across Côte d'Ivoire with a digital banking suite (SARA mobile app, E-Banking platform, SMS-First alerts) and mobile money interoperability (MAC service) connecting bank accounts with Orange Money and WAVE wallets.

Product overview

Afriland First Bank Côte d'Ivoire is a commercial bank offering a comprehensive suite of banking products and services organized across five main segments: Retail/Individual (Particuliers), Business/Enterprise (Entreprise), Institutions & Associations, Digital Banking, and Card Services. The core digital banking platform consists of SARA mobile app, E-Banking internet banking, SMS-First alerts, and MAC (Bank-to-Wallet/Wallet-to-Bank) service for Orange Money and WAVE integration. The card portfolio includes GIM-UEMOA cards (Essika Platinum, Premium, Classic) and international Mastercard cards (First Platinum, First Gold, First Prepaid). Retail banking offers multiple account types (Current, Savings, Foreign Currency, Special Deposit, Islamic), personal loans (Consumption, Real Estate, School/Cresco, Auto), and money transfer services (Flash Transfer, MoneyGram, Western Union). Business banking includes corporate accounts, term deposits, financial engineering, trade finance, and various credit facilities. The institution serves retail customers, SMEs, large corporations, and institutional clients including governments and NGOs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SARA: Mobile banking application allowing clients to manage their accounts and perform banking operations autonomously at any time.
• MAC
• Sara Banking
• Sara Money
• Mastercard First Gold
• Mastercard First Platinum
• First Prepaid Mastercard
• Cresco
• SMS-First

Products and services

• SARA Mobile Banking Application Mobile banking application enabling customers to manage their Afriland First Bank accounts and perform banking operations (transfers, balance inquiries, payments) autonomously via smartphone, available 24/7. Targeted at retail and SME customers in Côte d'Ivoire.
• MAC (Mobile Account Connection) Service Digital service enabling instant transfers between Afriland First Bank accounts and Orange Money or WAVE mobile wallets (Bank-to-Wallet and Wallet-to-Bank directions), available 24/7 with secure and traceable transactions.
• SMS-First Service SMS-based account notification and inquiry service providing real-time alerts for credit/debit transactions and balance inquiries without requiring an internet connection; functions on all phone models. Targeted at retail and SME customers in Côte d'Ivoire.
• E-Banking Internet Banking Platform Web-based internet banking platform enabling customers to manage accounts, perform transfers, and execute financial operations online via browser at ebanking.afrilandfirstbankci.com.
• First Platinum Mastercard Debit Card Premium international Mastercard debit card with contactless payment, online purchases, 3D Secure protection, and travel benefits. Withdrawal limit 2.5M FCFA/day within UEMOA and 3.5M FCFA/day outside UEMOA. Targeted at premium retail and professional customers.
• First Gold Mastercard Debit Card International Mastercard debit card with contactless payment and travel benefits. Withdrawal: 1.5M FCFA/day within UEMOA, 2.5M FCFA/day outside; payment: 2M FCFA/day within UEMOA, 3M FCFA/day outside. Targeted at retail customers seeking international card access.
• First Prepaid Mastercard International prepaid Mastercard accessible with or without a bank account, for travel payments and withdrawals worldwide. Weekly withdrawal ceiling 2M FCFA. Targeted at travelers and unbanked or underbanked customers.
• Essika Platinum GIM-UEMOA Card Premium GIM-UEMOA interbank debit card with 24/7 availability, enhanced security against robbery, and convenience features. Targeted at premium retail customers in Côte d'Ivoire.
• Essika Premium GIM-UEMOA Card GIM-UEMOA debit card for clients with monthly income above 700,000 FCFA. Payment ceiling 5M FCFA/month and withdrawal ceiling 500,000 FCFA/day. Targeted at upper-middle-income retail customers.
• Essika Classic GIM-UEMOA Card Standard GIM-UEMOA debit card linked to current or savings account. Payment ceiling 1M FCFA/month and daily withdrawal 150,000 FCFA. Targeted at mass-market retail customers.
• Current Account (Particulier) Personal banking current account for daily transactions, bill payments, salary crediting, and access to cards and digital banking services. Targeted at individual retail customers in Côte d'Ivoire.
• Savings Account Interest-bearing sight deposit account with minimum opening deposit of 25,000 FCFA, earning a preference rate compounded semi-annually, with minimum permanent balance of 25,000 FCFA and management fees every six months. Targeted at retail savers.
• Foreign Currency Account Foreign currency account for non-residents including embassies, diplomatic staff, and international institutions, with preferential exchange rates. Targeted at diplomats, NGOs, and international institutions.
• Special Deposit Account Affordable sight deposit account for individuals with monthly income not exceeding 200,000 FCFA, with a monthly fee of 1,000 FCFA and free initial deposit. Targeted at low-income individuals for financial inclusion.
• Islamic Deposit Account Sharia-compliant deposit account for customers seeking Islamic banking products. Targeted at Muslim retail customers.
• Consumption and Equipment Loan Personal loan for consumer needs and equipment acquisition. Duration 1-7 years, amount up to 30,000,000 FCFA, interest rate from 7%, processing fees from 2%. Available to salaried employees with regular income.
• Real Estate Loan Mortgage financing for property acquisition, construction, or renovation. Duration 7-10 years, amount up to 200,000,000 FCFA, rate 8% excluding tax, 1.5% processing fees, 10% down payment required. Targeted at retail property buyers.
• School Loan (Cresco) Education financing for school expenses. Duration 1 year, amount up to 10,000,000 FCFA, preferential rate 7.5%, with salary domiciliation requirement. Targeted at salaried parents.
• Auto Loan Vehicle financing with duration 5-7 years, amount up to 25,000,000 FCFA, rate 8-10%, requiring permanent contract (CDI) and minimum 1 month residence. Targeted at salaried retail customers.
• Flash Transfer Domestic Money Transfer Fast domestic money transfer service with funds available within minutes at any Afriland First Bank branch or partner location; requires only ID and recipient name, no bank account needed for recipient.
• MoneyGram International Money Transfer International money transfer service enabling send/receive worldwide through the MoneyGram network with real-time transfers and no withdrawal fees for recipients.
• Western Union International Money Transfer Global money transfer service available across the entire Ivorian territory through the Western Union partner network, enabling international send/receive operations.
• Current Account (Entreprise) Business current account for companies enabling commercial transactions, payment operations, and investment activities, with minimum deposit of 100,000 FCFA and no mandatory minimum balance. Targeted at SMEs and large enterprises.
• Term Deposit (DAT) Time deposit product enabling growth of business cash surpluses over short, medium or long term, with attractive interest rates based on duration and amount and collateral possibility. Targeted at corporate treasurers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10 billion FCFA financing facility secured from BIDC for SMEs and mid-size enterprises in Côte d'Ivoire
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and standard.

• MastercardcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 September 2023Mastercard partnership for issuance of First Gold, First Platinum, and First Prepaid Mastercard debit cards offering international acceptance, contactless payments, and higher transaction limits for Ivorian consumers.
• GIM-UEMOA (Groupement Interbancaire Monétique de l'UEMOA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfriland First Bank CI is a member of GIM-UEMOA which promotes use of bank cards and develops interbank monetary services across the WAEMU zone.
• Orange MoneycoreTechnology or IntegrationMAC service integration allowing instant transfers between Afriland First Bank accounts and Orange Money mobile wallets, both Bank to Wallet and Wallet to Bank directions.
• WAVEcoreTechnology or IntegrationMAC service integration allowing instant transfers between Afriland First Bank accounts and WAVE mobile wallets, both Bank to Wallet and Wallet to Bank directions.
• MoneyGramstandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMoney transfer partnership enabling Afriland First Bank customers to send and receive money globally through MoneyGram's international network.
• Western UnionstandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWestern Union partnership for international money transfer services accessible across the entire territory of Côte d'Ivoire.
• BCEAO (Banque Centrale des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest)coreOthersCentral bank of West African States providing regulatory oversight and payment system infrastructure including STAR-UEMOA for large-value transfers and SICA-UEMOA for interbank compensation.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• BICICI (BNP Paribas): BNP Paribas subsidiary operating as a universal bank in Côte d'Ivoire; competes across retail, SME, and large corporate banking with strong international correspondent banking capabilities.
• Standard Chartered Bank Côte d'Ivoire: International bank focused on corporate, institutional, and affluent retail clients in Côte d'Ivoire; competes with Afriland on trade finance, project financing, and FX services.
• United Bank for Africa (UBA) Côte d'Ivoire: Pan-African bank with growing Côte d'Ivoire presence; comparable for its digital banking focus and pan-African correspondent network, targeting similar retail and SME segments.
• Ecobank Côte d'Ivoire: Subsidiary of the Ecobank Group with pan-African reach across 30+ countries; competes with Afriland on cross-border trade, SME lending, and retail digital banking in WAEMU markets.
• Société Générale Côte d'Ivoire (SGCI): One of the largest commercial banks in Côte d'Ivoire, offering retail, corporate, and digital banking services to similar customer segments; directly competes with Afriland for SME, retail, and institutional clients.

Direct peers

• NSIA Banque: Ivorian-headquartered commercial bank with strong retail and corporate presence; competes directly with Afriland in Abidjan and key economic cities, with similar focus on local SMEs and consumer credit.
• Vista Bank (formerly Orabank): Pan-West African commercial banking group present in multiple WAEMU countries; directly comparable for its regional expansion model, SME focus, and mid-market positioning in Côte d'Ivoire.
• Bank of Africa Côte d'Ivoire (BOA CI): Commercial bank under the Bank of Africa network focused on retail and SME banking in Côte d'Ivoire; closely comparable in target customer segments, digital banking investments, and SME financing focus.
• Banque Atlantique Côte d'Ivoire: Subsidiary of Atlantic Financial Group operating across WAEMU; offers retail, SME, and corporate banking with comparable distribution strategy and digital channel investments.
• Coris Bank International Côte d'Ivoire: West African commercial bank expanding across WAEMU including Côte d'Ivoire; comparable business model serving SMEs, retail customers, and corporate clients with digital banking services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/afrilandfirstci
• Facebookfacebook.com/AfrilandFirstBankCI
• Instagraminstagram.com/afrilandfirstbankci

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Afriland First Bank Côte D'ivoire