African Banks: Bank of Africa Joins the Top 10
Moroccan banks are affirming their presence among the key players in the African financial sector. According to the 2026 rankings published by African Business, nine establishments from the Kingdom rank among the top 100 banks on the continent in terms of Tier 1 capital. The Bank of Africa has moved up two places to rank ninth, while the Banque Centrale Populaire (BCP) maintains its sixth position.
In total, the nine Moroccan banks featured collectively hold $23.3 billion in Tier 1 capital, compared to $20.3 billion in the previous edition. This represents an increase of nearly 15% over the past year and highlights the strengthening of the financial resources of the Kingdom’s major institutions.
Bank of Africa Gains Two Places and Joins the Top 10
Bank of Africa records one of the notable advancements in the 2026 rankings. The Moroccan banking group has gained two positions to reach ninth place in Africa, with Tier 1 capital valued at $3.84 billion.
This development allows the institution to join the continent’s top ten banks based on this measure of financial solidity. It aligns with the expansion of its activities internationally, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the group has a network of subsidiaries across several countries.
This regional presence enables it to engage in various markets and support the financing needs of businesses, individuals, and local economic players.
BCP Maintains Its Sixth African Position
For its part, the Banque Centrale Populaire continues to hold its sixth place on the continent. This position reinforces its weight among the major African banking groups, thanks to its activities in Morocco and its establishments in several countries across West and Central Africa.
The group is particularly active in retail banking, corporate financing, and support for commercial transactions. Its international network serves as a backup for expanding its activities beyond the Moroccan market.
Attijariwafa Bank is also among the top ten African banks. With $7.68 billion in Tier 1 capital, the group retains its podium position according to the data reported in the rankings.
Tier 1 Capital of Moroccan Banks Increases by Nearly 15%
Beyond individual performances, the figures highlight the strengthening of the financial resources of Moroccan institutions.
The nine banks from the Kingdom in the Top 100 total $23.3 billion in Tier 1 capital, compared to $20.3 billion a year earlier. This increase thus reaches nearly 15%.
While Egypt has more establishments represented in the rankings, Morocco stands out with three banking groups in the African Top 10.
Tier 1 capital is a crucial indicator of a bank’s ability to absorb losses and maintain its financial solidity. Its level also plays a role in the institutions’ ability to support their development and meet prudential requirements.
This progression occurs in an environment where banks must finance the growing needs of African economies while managing their risks and maintaining their financial equilibrium.
African Expansion at the Core of Moroccan Groups’ Strategy
The presence of Bank of Africa and BCP among the top ten banks on the continent reflects a dynamic of regional expansion that large Moroccan groups have been pursuing for several years.
Their networks in Sub-Saharan Africa enable them to support businesses with their financing operations, facilitate trade exchanges, and meet the banking needs of diverse markets.
This geographical diversification can help broaden their revenue sources and strengthen their relationships with regional economic players. However, it entails management adapted to the various regulatory, monetary, and economic environments in which these groups operate.
Moreover, Moroccan banks operate in a continental landscape characterized by the influence of large South African institutions and significant groups in Egypt and Nigeria.
In this context, the evolution of capital, profitability of subsidiaries, and risk management remain essential factors for preserving the institutions’ solidity and their positioning in African markets.
The 2026 ranking by African Business thus highlights the role of Moroccan groups in the continental banking landscape, with Bank of Africa climbing to ninth place, BCP maintaining its sixth position, and Attijariwafa Bank securing a place on the podium.
