At a Glance
- Coris Bank International leads with regional expansion and strong SME support.
- Bank of Africa blends local expertise with international banking experience.
- Ecobank advances digital access and cross-border trade within West Africa.
Burkina Faso’s banking sector remains a cornerstone of the country’s economy, with its leading banks supporting businesses, infrastructure, and trade across West Africa. Despite regional challenges, banks in Burkina Faso continue to show resilience and innovation, driven by digital growth and local entrepreneurship.
Together, these eleven banking groups form the backbone of Burkina Faso’s financial system. They provide essential credit to entrepreneurs, fund government projects, and connect the country’s economy to regional and international markets. As financial inclusion deepens and digital services expand, these banks are expected to play an even greater role in shaping the country’s economic future.
Burkina Faso’s banking landscape reflects both resilience and renewal. These eleven banks are not only financial institutions, they are enablers of opportunity, connecting people, communities, and businesses to the larger regional economy.
Shore Africa takes a closer look at the eleven banking groups that define Burkina Faso’s financial landscape.
1. Coris Bank International
Founded by Burkinabe businessman Idrissa Nassa, Coris Bank International (CBI) is regarded as Burkina Faso’s homegrown banking success story. Headquartered in Ouagadougou and listed on the regional BRVM exchange, Coris Bank has grown into the largest banking group in Burkina Faso with operations across the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) region, including Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Togo, Benin, Mali, Niger, Guinea, Chad, and Guinea-Bissau.
Known for its practical approach to customer service and early move into digital banking, Coris Bank International is consistently described as the main and largest bank in the country, particularly active in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
2. Bank of Africa (BOA) Burkina Faso
A key player in the country’s financial system, Bank of Africa (BOA) Burkina Faso is widely recognised as the second-largest banking group in Burkina Faso. It is part of the Bank of Africa Group, a pan-African network headquartered in Mali and majority-owned by Morocco’s BMCE Bank of Africa. Headquartered in Ouagadougou, BOA Burkina Faso operates an extensive branch network across the country, serving individuals, businesses, and public institutions. BOA’s strength lies in its blend of local insight and international experience. By combining modern banking solutions with a focus on accessibility and inclusion, the bank continues to play a crucial role in financing Burkina Faso’s economy, particularly in the areas of commerce, infrastructure, and private sector development.
3. Société Générale Burkina Faso
A subsidiary of the global Société Générale Group, Société Générale Burkina Faso offers a full range of retail and corporate banking services. With over 30 branches, the bank is a trusted financial partner for both the private and public sectors. Its combination of international expertise and local experience has made it a go-to institution for multinational firms and development partners seeking reliable financial solutions in Burkina Faso.
4. Ecobank Burkina Faso
As part of the Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) network, Ecobank Burkina Faso operates across more than 40 branches nationwide. The bank focuses on financial inclusion, digital innovation, and seamless cross-border banking, vital for traders and businesses operating within the ECOWAS region. Its mobile and online platforms have made banking more accessible, especially for individuals and small enterprises outside major cities.
5. Atlantic Bank Burkina Faso
Leading the pack is Atlantic Bank Burkina Faso, a subsidiary of Morocco’s Banque Centrale Populaire (BCP) Group. With more than 50 branches across the country, the bank serves individuals, SMEs, and large corporations. Its services range from everyday banking and savings to trade finance and international money transfers. Supported by the BCP Group’s strong regional network, Atlantic Bank has become an important link between North and West Africa, helping to promote trade and financial integration.
6. International Bank of Burkina Faso (BIB)
Locally owned and managed, the International Bank of Burkina Faso (BIB) plays a vital role in mobilizing domestic savings and channeling them into productive investments. With over 20 branches, BIB focuses on traditional banking services — from current and savings accounts to business loans — while ensuring access to finance in smaller urban and semi-rural communities.
7. Sahelo-Saharan Bank for Investment and Trade (BSIC)
The Sahelo-Saharan Bank for Investment and Trade (BSIC), part of a Libyan-based regional group, operates across several West African countries. In Burkina Faso, BSIC supports trade and investment through commercial banking and credit facilities tailored to regional businesses. Its experience in cross-border finance has made it a dependable partner for importers, exporters, and companies engaged in intra-African trade.
8. Burkina Faso Housing Bank (BHB)
The Burkina Faso Housing Bank (BHB) plays a unique role as the country’s main housing finance institution. Through mortgage loans, savings plans, and construction financing, it helps families achieve home ownership while supporting urban growth. With more than ten branches, BHB continues to bridge the housing gap and contribute to nationwide development efforts.
9. Agricultural and Commercial Bank of Burkina (BACB)
The Agricultural and Commercial Bank of Burkina (BACB) focuses on supporting the agricultural sector — a cornerstone of the national economy. The bank provides credit and tailored products to farmers, cooperatives, and agribusinesses, encouraging food security and rural development. Its 10-branch network ensures financial access for communities that depend heavily on farming.
10. Bank of Union Burkina Faso
A subsidiary of Banque de l’Union du Togo, Bank of Union Burkina Faso targets small and medium-sized enterprises as well as retail customers. The bank plays an active role in facilitating cross-border trade between Togo and Burkina Faso, strengthening financial ties within the region and supporting the growing West African business corridor.
